The Father's Care

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (Luke 12:24 KJV)

I will never have the actual privilege of being a grandfather to grandchildren of my own. But I hold the same belief pertaining to grandfathers as I do stepfathers; whoever is doing the job earns the title regardless of blood relation. That is why when I refer to my grandsons, they aren't by kinship but they are in my heart. I met their moms through my ministry to unwed mothers, when they were about to become new parents.  Each had a wonderful little son who immediately captured my heart on sight. I was there when both were born and was the first man other than doctors that got to hold them. I don't believe it would be possible to love kids any more than I do these boys.

My wife and I had the privilege one Friday night to have the oldest one, Sam, who was then 18-months-old, spend the night with us, and most of the day Saturday. We laid out a foam mattress and blankets on the living room floor for him and a sleeping bag and blanket beside it for me, and we camped out, I guess you could say. As I lay there in the darkness, it was broken only by an occasional flash of lightning casting quick shadows in the dark room. I began to think about how Sam wasn't concerned in the least with the weather outside. I also thought of how he hadn't given a thought to whether he would be warm and comfortable or even fed or safe. When he finally closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, I am sure none of those thoughts were even in his little mind.

I was lying there thinking about how our heavenly Father desires for us to be that dependent on him. He would love for us to trust him completely, as Sam did me, to the point where our care and provision never even cross our minds. He would have us to be so sure of his care that the storm around us didn't even phase us, no matter how dark and scary the shadows might be. For us to just lay back next to him and close our eyes in total peace knowing we are safe from all harm would be a great compliment to his care for us. For him to have our total trust and dependence would bring the same satisfaction to his heart as Sam's complete and unquestioning faith did to mine.

Dear Lord, I ask that you would help us all to be totally submissive to your care regardless of what the storm may bring. Help us to remember that you didn't bring us this far to see us fall. Help us also to realize that the storm is never permanent but as your word says repeatedly; "It came to pass." Please grant us the grace we need to go through the storm knowing you will never let us go under, even when our faith becomes weak. I ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen!