Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: TRUST (07/21/16)
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TITLE: Lillie's Tomatoes | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pat Small
07/26/16 -
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“Oh, thank you.”
Later, Lillie came into the room again. This time she clutched a bunch of bananas. Again, her daughter offered to take care of them for her. Willingly, she turned the bananas over. This scene was repeated over and over throughout the day. How sweetly daughter and mother related. On the surface, the sight was not hugely uncommon. On closer look, it was disconcerting.
I knew Lillie when she was a young mother, a busy pastor’s wife, involved in everything around her. Annie was five years old at the time, bringing little trinkets to her Mom. Mom would receive them with gratitude and kindness in spite of her overcrowded schedule. Now, it was reversed. Yet, in both cases a loving confidence in the other was evident.
Recently, at a friend’s pool, I watched as Brandon stood in the pool, extended his arms, and called “Jump, Ethan.” Ethan jumped, his jet black hair flying, his chestnut eyes gleaming. His Daddy called, and he knew Daddy would catch him. Over and over, the tender scene was repeated, to our delight.
How often we board planes, entrust our children to roller coasters, turn on a light, sit in a chair or thrust plastic cards into machines expecting them to oblige with money. Usually we commit these acts with nary a thought or concern. They have become as automatic as the machines. Why do we react so differently then when God asks us to tithe, or teach a class, witness, or heaven forbid even go to a mission field? It would seem simpler to obey a God who is omnipotent, yet personal, than it is to pay our money to let our child risk his life on a machine we can only hope has been properly maintained.
Few of us understand how electricity can travel through wires and light our homes with the flick of a switch. We don’t even feel a need to understand. How different we are when it comes to spiritual matters. “I just don’t understand,” we murmur and complain.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; Lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” (KJV) There is a promise we can bank on. No need to worry about a technical issues, or questionable maintenance. God cannot lie. The Bible confirms that.
If we but desire it, Lillie can teach us a lesson with ripe, red tomatoes.
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