The True Test of Trust!

       Once there was a little girl who loved two things more than anything else in her life - her daddy and climbing trees. She would often climb up in “her tree”, wait for her daddy to get home from work, and then yell words of love and greeting to him as he got out of his car. Her favorite tree was a big old apple tree that had a perfect sitting place about 10 feet above the ground. She loved that tree and spent as much time as she could in it. She was never afraid up there, and climbed up and down easily!
       Then came the day of the big storm. She had climbed up to her spot, like many other days, and just when she was enjoying the feeling of the gentle breeze rocking the branches, the storm arrived in its full fury. The clouds, which just a minute ago had been a light gray, were now black as coal. The gentle breezes were now so strong that they were threatening to knock her off of the branch. She held on for dear life, alternately crying and screaming for her daddy.
       What seemed like hours later, Dad appeared at the base of the tree. He would surely climb the tree and save her…but no. He took his place at the base, lifted his arms, and said “Jump, sweetheart. I will catch you.” What? That isn’t what I want at all. “I can’t jump. I can’t. I‘m scared. Come up and get me.” But the tree limb cracked, the branches shook violently, and the rain began to pelt her with huge drops. “Come on, baby. You have trusted me before so trust me now. I promise I will catch you.” But just couldn’t let go. She held on tighter, clinging in desperation. And then it happened. It wasn’t a jump at all but a surrender. Eyes closed, she held her breath and dropped. Daddy’s strong arms caught her and gently hugged her.The storm still raged but for her it was over. She was safe in his embrace.
       We, too, often talk about our loving Father. He is great and good, trustworthy and dependable. We say it, we tell others about Him, and we believe it…until the storm comes. Then we cling desperately to things we know - worldly wisdom, our own resources, our feelings, our friends, our past experiences. God calls on us to trust Him but we resist. And then it happens - sometimes because we’ve run out of options; sometimes because it’s just too hard to hold on and we’re too tired. Whatever the reason, it finally happens. We surrender. And when we do, God is there just as He promised, with strong arms, a comforting embrace, and soothing words.The storm may rage on, but we are safe...and then we wonder, “Why did I take so long to let go?”
(adapted from a story in “Mourning Into Dancing” by Walt Wangerin, Jr.)