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As a first-time mother, I often notice the parallels between motherhood and our relationship with God. I believe it’s one way God demonstrates His love for us. There are so many lessons that can be learned that help us understand our Good Father better. Today’s lesson will encourage you on the days when you don’t understand God’s plan. Trusting God in all circumstances can be life changing!
The Joy of a Care-Free Life
My young toddler has discovered the joy of being carefree. She sports a huge, adorable, baby grin as she toddles about in her play area.
She soaks up the simple pleasures in life: tickles from mommy & daddy, her favorite baby snack, and the opportunity to nurse after a long day. Lately, she’s learned how free and fun it feels to free-fall back onto a large king-sized mattress.
It makes me think about our relationship with God and how we must be intentional about trusting God in all circumstances. We go through our routines and work through the hustle and bustle of each day. Trying to slow down enough to enjoy the simple pleasures in life: the outdoors that easily stimulates our senses, the sound of our children laughing, and settling down with a good book or TV show after a long day. We gravitate toward the things that we believe will make us feel free and happy.
I observed how my daughter was giddy to carelessly throw her body onto the mattress and began to think about her safety. Even though it was fun for her I noticed the potential hazard. I didn’t view it as something good for her at this age and stage of her life.
Sure, when she is a few years older she can engage in that activity, and safety may be less of a concern. She would then understand her spacial surroundings and be cognizant of the placement of her neck and head when she lands. However, at the tender age of 1, she doesn’t have that knowledge or understanding yet.
So, I intervened and stopped her. I chose not to allow her to continue to trust-fall onto the mattress in this season of her life. She wasn’t happy about it. She was upset and she cried about it.
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God Knows What’s Best For Us
As a mom that hurt my heart, but I knew I was doing what was best for her. I understood that while she didn’t understand all the details, I could see the bigger picture. I also had plans to provide her with other opportunities for fun because I love her. She would just need to be patient and allow me to take her there.
In the same way, there may be things that we desire to have or do and it seems that God is intervening or maybe even stopping us. There may be times when we ask God for things and it appears that He will not give them to us.
Could it be that He is protecting us? What if He sees a potential hazard or an unsafe situation? It is possible that we may be in a season of our lives where we may not have the understanding or skill set yet. Maybe God sees it as something that is not good for us at this stage of our lives. When we are trusting God in all circumstances we can rest assured that He will deliver and keep His promises.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Depending on what it is, we may simply need to mature a little more before He answers that prayer. However, there may be some situations where He plans to provide us with something better than what we are praying for because He loves us. We just have to wait patiently, trust God in all circumstances, and allow Him to transition us into that season.
At the end of the day, God doesn’t want to lose us. Does what you’re asking for pose a risk to your relationship with Him? Would that relationship, that platform, or wealth status cause you to forget about God and neglect your relationship with Him? God considers all these details including the ones that don’t even cross our minds.
Trust God in All Situations
So, my daughter doesn’t fall back onto the mattress anymore. It appears that she has surrendered that desire for now.
When she is tempted to try it again, I gently intervene and she is good with that. It’s obvious that she trusts me and my judgment. She understands that I love her and she sees that I will give her great opportunities for enjoyment.
Let’s consider surrendering our desires to God. Every single one of them. We may be tempted to try to snatch them back and coddle them, but we must allow God to be God in our lives.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NLT
When He intervenes, let’s be good with it. Let’s trust Him and His judgment and remember that He loves us and has great plans for us! We can’t go wrong when we trust God in all things.
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