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A ministry of Watermark Church, Anchored Sisters is women connecting with women to make an impression and leave a mark for Jesus Christ. Anchored in His love, together we Support, Inspire, Share, Teach, Encourage, Respect and Serve one another.
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Packing the Car... A Lesson in Trust
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Packing the car was my father's job, his undisputed role in the family. Dad was an engineer and his engineering mind knew precisely how everything fit into the car. Over the years, he had consistently rejected our offers and efforts to pack the car for him. When this incident took place, Dad was 86 years old and starting to show signs of Lewy-Body dementia.
It was the last day of our family beach vacation. Already the intense humidity of a Florida day had us sweltering in the blistering heat. Inside our condo, Dad loaded the luggage cart to overflowing with pots, pans, suitcases, beach towels, drying racks, paper goods, cooler and hanging garment bags. Dad was worried that everything might not fit into the car. My sister, Martha, and Dad pushed the heavy-laden cart onto the elevator and out to the car.
As Dad surveyed the situation, Martha and I begged him to let us pack the car.
"No," Dad replied firmly. "I need to pack it or it won't all fit in."
"Dad," I pleaded. "It's so hot. Please let us do it. We've watched you do this for years and we know exactly where you put everything."
I watched Dad's internal struggle. This was huge. He had already given up so much of what he used to do...paying the bills, doing his taxes, but packing the car? Could he trust us to get it right?
"Please, Dad. We will do it right," I reassured him.
As he nodded his permission, I knew Dad had given us a gift of love. He had given us his trust. When I reflected on this later, I realized my Heavenly Father has also given me this gift of trust. Trust allows another person to be in control...a person who may not always make the right decision, a person who may willfully choose to disobey.
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Yet, God gives us His precious gift of trust. He allows us the freedom of choosing. He trusts us with His creation and even allows us to partner with Him in His work. The gift of trust originates in a heart of love.
I Cor. 13 states, "Love always trusts. Love always hopes." God loves us. He trusts us and hopes that we will not violate His gift of trust.
People sometimes ask, "How can a loving God allow...?" Maybe the better question is, "How can a loving God not allow?"
Father God, I am overwhelmed by Your gift of trust. You knew what it would cost You to give us this gift...the death of Your Son, Jesus, on the cross for our wrong choices, for our sinful disobedience. You also knew what it would cost Your glorious creation. Even now, creation groans as it awaits Your final restoration. Please Father, give us the wisdom to enable us to steward this gift of trust. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us. Empower us to live a life that pleases You. I ask these things in the precious Name of Jesus.
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