Recently I had a chance to spend a day with my nine- month old grandson. During my visit, he began to develop his first cold. You know, the seem to never end runny nose and the erratic sneezes? I felt so sorry for him. Though his cold was pretty awful he handled it like a trooper. He didn’t let it get him down. He still smiled, remained active and jovial. It was life as usual for Joshua.
This led me to reflect on how I cope as I go through my rough patches in life. Am I a trooper or a whiner, complainer, easily discouraged or defeated? Do I let “life” get me down?
Besides being a little fussy when he’s wet or hungry my grandson has this unbridled joy and enthusiasm. I started to think, “What would my life look like absent of fear, worry, and insecurities?” How would life be with a continual flow of joy that overflows, the peace that subdues, and faith that prevails?
We may be familiar with these portions of Scripture “the joy of the Lord is your strength”, “and You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You." We may recognize these powerful truths but it’s one thing to know them and another to experience them and walk them out. How can we have the capacity for joy and peace even in the midst of difficult, uncomfortable and erratic situations? Is this even attainable?
To help me with this I began to look at life through the lens of my grandson, who I have so affectionately and lovingly called my “Joshua-son”. A lot can be learned from him and babies as a whole especially as it relates to us and Father God.
The first thing I observed was Joshua’s assurance and anticipation in view of his parents. When they enter into the room, he gets super excited, and elated. He swiftly and expectantly extends his hands up and out for them to pick him up. I asked myself, “Do I have this same excitement, this sheer joy, positive assumption of knowing that when I cry out to Father, reach out and up with hands and heart lifted that He WILL lift me up? That no matter what I’m going through I have this sure unshakeable confidence that God is a keeper of His Word and He will never leave me? Am I totally convinced that God IS in control and that He is working everything out for His eternal purposes and for my good? Do I have this child-like, simple faith? Bottom line is I had to examine myself and ask myself this sobering question; Do I REALLY trust God?
At first, glance, trusting God like a baby trusts a parent can seem a little too simple and maybe even naive. Generally speaking, babies don't worry or toil and compared to “adulting” they don’t really have a care in the world. But this got me to thinking, neither should I have a worry in the world, I mean if I REALLY trust God?
We are directed in scripture to cast our burdens on the Lord and to trust Him to sustain us. (1Peter 5:7) I know it’s easier said than done, believe me. But as we take steps to fully surrender, undoubtedly trust God, and leave all of our cares and anxieties at His feet, He is faithful to strengthen us and give us measureless grace, guidance, and provision.
Here are just a few lessons that I’ve gleaned from my grandson that I’m incorporating into my faith walk. I kindly invite you to walk with me as look I through the faith-filled eyes of my Joshua-son. Would you come along?
First off, he is totally dependent on his parents. He relies on them for everything. His very life depends on his parents doing all things for him. How much more should we rely/wait/hope/depend on our loving Father, Jehovah Jireh to supply all our need from His heavenly abundance. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.“I depend on God alone; I put my hope in Him.” (Psalm 62:5)
Trusts them completely. The dictionary definition of trust is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength in someone or something. The measure of our trust is in direct relation to our experience of the person being trustworthy. If God did it before, and you already know the answer; He WILL do it again! “Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell Him all your troubles, for He is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)
The measure of our trust is in direct relation to our experience of the person being trustworthy. God is fully trustworthy!
He eagerly, most certainly, VERY confidently, EXPECTS his parents to move on his behalf. I'm almost sure that he couldn't be convinced otherwise. How about us? Are we fully persuaded that God will move on our behalf? Are we thoroughly convinced that God loves us, will protect us, hear our prayers, has good plans and is working everything out concerning us, no matter how awful things appear or feel? “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
Joshua makes his request made known. Babies communicate their needs very well. They are very expressive even without being able to form complete words. They let you know when their hungry or thirsty, or when they want to be held. God knows our every need even before we ask and He is faithful to answer. “Do you know of any parent who would give his hungry child, who asked for food, a plate of rocks instead? Or when asked for a piece of fish, what parent would offer his child a snake instead? If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask Him?” (Matthew 7:9-11)
The definite overwhelming love he has for his parents. The look in his eyes when he looks at them is so full of insuppressible love and adoration. So pure. So endearing. So unconditional. So certain. So deep. So..... when you look at him you just want to give him the world. There is nothing in the world that you wouldn’t do for him. Your thoughts toward him are for good and not of evil and to give him a future and a confident hope. This is our Father’s heart toward us. He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
As believers, the Holy Spirit lives in us and we have full access to all of His fruit. We must just take hold of it. Joy and peace are just two of the fruit and they are always ripe and in season even amid of what we may be going through. (Galatians 5:22-23) Does this mean that we always walk around joyful, cheerful, happy during our tests and trials? No, but we keep pressing, we don't stop, we don't give up! We’ll have an inner knowing, inward faith, and inner strength to carry us through. This inherent spark and adamant confidence in knowing that whatever it is GOD has it handled. Jesus already secured our victory. God is with us and just for this alone we can rejoice! It is nothing in and of ourselves. The joy is the Lord’s. It is the peace of God which surpasses all understanding IN Christ Jesus.
Joy and peace are our portion in Christ Jesus!
I thank God for this season and blessing of grandparenting. The joy my grandson brings is like hundreds of Christmases wrapped up in one bundle of joy; God’s deep imprint on my heart, the sharing of His unlimited joy and blessing.
These precious moments are so near and dear to my heart and I will cherish them forever. Especially because during the time that I was raising my children, I missed some teachable moments, these glimpses of Father’s heart. With all of the busyness that goes along with motherhood I never really took a whole lot of time to pause and capture these divine impressions that I now have with my Joshua-son.
I’m so grateful for this second chance. So appreciative for another glance to love more generously, to give of my time unrestrained, to pray more fervently, to sing godly lullabies, to bless more abundantly, to hug more frequently, to applaud more loudly, to rock him until sleep befalls us both, to cradle in my arms this marvelous, fearfully and wonderfully made gift; the likeness of God Himself, to learn lessons of love and faith through the humble, pure, tender, beautiful eyes of a child.
Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope! Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made Him their hope and confidence! Romans 15:13
Love, hope and earnest prayers!
Shannon
Thank you for letting me share my heart. I pray you are greatly blessed and encouraged. If you like this post subscribe or share to encourage others! God bless you!
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