Looking Back On Trust.

I remember the day our mail man came to the house in Cuba and brought us a letter from the US embassy that said my father was approved for an immigration interview. There was an unexplainable excitement in my family and my dad could not even believe that after all the years he'd been fighting to get out of the country a door had finally opened for us.

However, after four incredibly rigorous interviews and four long trips to the embassy my dad was beginning to lose hope. A final interview was necessary and this time all four of us had been called out. I remember hearing my parents talk about all the what ifs and making plans just in case we did not get approved and had to stay in Cuba. That's when trust in God could have become our strongest shield. For me it was not much of a problem whether or not we were being interviewed so many times. I just knew in my heart that God was going to see to it and we would be able to leave such dictatorship once and for all. Despite their uncertainties, I told my parents and brother to just trust in Jesus and pray because I knew we were getting ready to face a new world. Consequently, God saw to it and we faced the new world of America in 2002.

Looking back on this story, I realize what Jesus said about children. "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 18:3. Indeed, I was the only one in my family who never had a single doubt about God's will for us coming to the US. I stood strong with such conviction and thanked God every day for giving us the opportunity we had been awaiting for so long.

Sadly, I cannot tell the same story about many other times later in my life when my faith has been tested. I have doubted Jesus' love and will for me countless times in the face of troubles. But to my surprise and wonder, He has proved me wrong time after time whenever I've failed to trust Him and blessed my life in ways that I could never have dreamed of.

It blows my mind to see all the little children at my church with such vigorous enthusiasm about trusting their prayers to God and praising Him. They can teach us about true faith. Despite their innocence and vulnerability, they know to trust not only Jesus but also their parents and loved ones. I know how hard it is sometimes for me to be able to trust the word of a loved one after they've hurt me. Sometimes it just feels safer to put my pride first and keep my distance. How wonderful it is to know that Jesus never keeps His distance from me no matter how many times I hurt Him. He's always been and always will be there for me no matter what.

I would like to challenge you and me to learn to trust in God's word and wait patiently like little children for His promises. I want to let go of my life and my relationships and just let Jesus take the wheel of everything. I want to have such faith that no matter what happens I'll be able to turn to God before anything else and let Him be in control. There is no one that wants my best interest as much as Jesus does, not even myself. Through the remainder of this month and on, I want to be able to hang on to the promises He gave to the children that trust in Him. "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever" Psalm 125:1. I challenge us to stand strong in the Lord and to not be moved by the problems of this world. Only then will we be able to truly live a life like children of God and be ready to have all the blessings He's planned for us.

May we be moved to trust again...

Warm Greetings,

Suzie