This is a story about trusting God. It is also a story about snow skiing. I learned about this from my grandson, Will, who is fours year old and lives in Ronan, Montana. His mother shared it with me over the phone.
Will, as Annie told me, was having trouble going to sleep at night. There had just been too much upheaval in his life over the past several months. First of all, he and his brother James, were adjusting to being moved out and then back into their newly remodeled bedroom. More unsettling was the fact that he'd been moved into a preschool class of older students where the teacher was less nurturing and affectionate. And, if that's not enough for a four year old to cope with, his mommy just started an online graduate program, and now she's studying all the time.
So, how has Will learned to deal with all those fears? (Please read the following paragraphs to find out.)
As Annie was tucking him into bed one night, she pointed to the picture of Jesus on his bedroom wall. "You can trust Him with all your fears."
Will's face lit up. "Mommy! It's like when I was skiing with Daddy. I knew I could trust him."
"Exactly!" Annie smiled as she visualized what he was saying.
Later, in sharing this with me, she explained how the whole family had gone skiing one day. Both Mike (Will's dad) and Will had skis on. But, here's the fun part: In order to prevent Dare Devil Will from crash-and-burning his way down that mountain slope, Mike had Will standing between his own legs. Then, he held onto both of Will's hands as the two of them careened down the hill together.
Can you think of a better analogy for trusting God?
When we are "skiing" down an unfamiliar ski slope, circumstance, or trial - when we are overwhelmed or terrified - hasn't God got a grip on us?
We're as safe as a four-year old speeding down his first ski slope, as long as we are hanging on to Him.
Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety. Proverbs 29:25
One final note to William: Thank you for reminding me what trusting God looks like! We are always safe with Him!
