How Could You?
When I was seven, my family visited relatives in Alabama. It was the first time I met my cousins, and one in particular…Jimmy. We became inseparable, spending all three days together exploring their woods with his friend. During that time, I learned to love my cousin (as a cousin) and would follow him anywhere and do anything, because I trusted him.
On the last day in the woods, as the three of us walked along the creek, my cousin told me the story of “Echo”, a troll like creature who lived in the creek and would eat you alive. Fear overcame me and all I wanted was to go home, but since he was not afraid, I trusted him. Until he slipped and fell in the creek and screamed when Echo began eating his leg.
All I knew was that my cousin needed help and so I ran. Why I ran in the opposite direction of home, only a seven-year-old can answer. I ran not knowing where I was going in woods I was unfamiliar with. I never felt so much fear in my life - not for me, but for my cousin.
The creek path ended at an enormous construction site where earth was being moved by monstrous trucks. On top of the hill was a man watching the work. I crossed the mounds of earth and climbed the hill and told him Echo was eating my cousin. After looking like I was crazy, he said, “Sorry, I can’t leave, but you have to.” The only person I could find to help, wouldn’t. So, I returned to help my cousin myself.
When I got to the place where I left him, he was gone. Echo had eaten him and his friend. I ran home to tell my uncle that Jimmy was gone, but when I came in the house, there sat Jimmy and his friend, and all my family…laughing. I remember thinking, why would someone who cares about me do something so cruel. I never had contact with Jimmy after that visit.
What is it about children that makes them so vulnerable, gullible…trusting? I believe it’s because we are all born with an innocence untainted by the evil of the world. As time goes on, we learn of the world and learn not to trust even those who love us. We feel betrayed, and foolish.
But it isn’t like that with God. He is the one source of truth because He is perfect truth, in Him there is no guile (John 1:47). God is the only one who we can trust because His love is pure, and His love is perfect.
I never understood Matthew 18:3 until I learned to trust God. The verse says, “Unless you become as little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” What I learned is that we need to come to God with the faith and trust of little children. He wants us to not only trust Him but be dependent on Him as little children are dependent on their parents for total support.
God says to trust Him with the trust and dependence of little children for salvation and for an abundant life full of peace, knowing our heavenly Father will never leave us or forsake us, and will never, never betray our trust.
God works all things together for good for those who love Him. Romans 8:28
When I look back on that memory, I realize something about myself. I was stronger than I thought. God showed me that as a scared little girl I cared enough to dodge earthmovers and climb mountains to save my cousin. Even now I can’t believe I did that! But it showed me that if I could do that as a scared little girl then God’s Word is true when it says…
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me - Philippians 4:13
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
My prayer for you today is that God reveals His faithfulness to you.
Cheers to faithfulness!
