Trusting Your Heart in the Father's Hand
by Rachel Renee Griggs
I am so grateful that God is a loving Father who never turns his back on us, even when we repeatedly ignore his guidance. As a child I remember always questioning the commands of my parents, only to be answered with “Because I told you so.” Those answers were never acceptable to a curious child such as me, but at my age, I had no power to change it. It is no surprise that I have adopted an opposite response to such questions with my own son. Unlike the parenting style of my mother and father, when my son questions something I tell him, I will often explain the logic behind it, hoping that it will make a deeper connection in his mind that he will remember. I always wonder if doing it my way or my parents’ way makes a difference. I may never know the answer to that question, but tonight a real life example of what I was trying to explain to my son actually happened.
I took my son to the mall for some Valentine treats and a movie. I have been in this mall several times before and never felt unsafe, but for some reason this evening, I was feeling extra protective and cautious. I surprised my son by taking him to his favorite video game store and letting him pick something out. When we left the store, he wanted to walk proudly with his game in hand. However, I explained to him that the mall was crowded and it would be best if I kept the game in my bag so that it didn’t get lost or taken. Of course his six-year old mind did not understand what I was saying. He was not going to lose the game; he was going to hold onto it. And why would somebody take his game away from him? Still, I kept it for him and explained that sometimes people do things that aren’t so nice so we have to be careful.
Have you ever heard a warning from God concerning someone you were interested in dating? Do you ignore the red flags, or do you keep your heart safely hidden in the Lord’s hand? Too many times in the past, I acted as if I could do a better job of protecting myself and rushed into situations that later proved harmful to my emotional and spiritual health. I had to learn how to entrust matters of my heart to God.
God will often give us examples if we are having problems trusting Him, to show us that we are better off when He is in control. In the mall that day with my son, about an hour after I spoke to him about safety, we were waiting in line for movie tickets. Suddenly, a fight broke out not too far from where we were standing. I quickly pushed my son behind me as if my body were a bullet-proof shield should things get really ugly.
We got away from there as the fight was still ongoing, but I was not slow in pointing out to my son how just like I told him earlier, sometimes people do the wrong thing, and we must be careful. I told him that I needed him to trust me because I am only trying to protect him. Still wide-eyed because of what he just witnessed, my son said, “yes I trust you, because you know what you are talking about.” I can’t tell you the relief I felt hearing him saying that and the quick prayer that went up in hopes that he would remember that moment.
As much as I want my son to trust me, I cannot help but think of how many times I have not trusted. How many times have I decided to do what pleased me at the moment? How often have I paid for these acts of disobedience with tears, stress and heartache? Life is so much easier now that I am learning to wait on God rather than do things my own way.
Are you determined not to enter another doomed relationship? Don’t give the enemy of your soul another chance to steal your heart and rob the joy and peace that the Father so generously gives. Place your heart in God’s hands for Him to hold. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11).
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