By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

We parent’s do have our memories, many of which are beyond the wealth of gold. They keep blessing us as we think of them. I recall today one of our three sons, at age four, asking if he could go down to the ditch to float his boats. I told him “no.” His older brother was not there to go with him, and I could not.

Looking up with eyes filled with tears and a quivering lip,he said, “Mamma, you have a horn on your heart!”

I swept him up in my arms, danced him around with laughter. That loving few moments was a lot of years back. Today this son has children of his own and fully understands why at times I told him “no.”

This is the way it is between us and God. We cannot know or understand His ways. He is so much more knowledgeable than we can be. Apostle Paul described looking at our “todays” with all that is happening in the here and now, as seeing indistinctly, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known,” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Have you had the experience of asking God for something you felt must happen? Then, deciding after waiting and waiting that He must be saying “no?”

God always answers. It is either “yes,” “no,” or “wait”—not a verbal answer, necessarily. We learn to hear Him speak into our lives while by faith we listen as we pray and read His Word. With time and experience, we learn to trust. God does know best and He will be certain to guide us as we trust Him.

How tragic life would be if God were to say “yes,” just to please us–to guarantee our friendship. Imagine His granting that which could work against our safety or ability to gain a best outcome. A coddling, permissive God would offer no stability, no order genuine care.

Many billions of people have placed their trust in God throughout the history of time. Those who write about it say the same thing in different words: peace, love and joy result from this trust. Also, within this trust comes the knowledge that this life here on terra firma is not all that is in store for us—eternity will be a believer’s everlasting home. Imagine it!

God wants us to put our trust in Him, while also knowing not every thing we ask for will be granted. Now, although there may seem to be more uncertainties than ever in this life, peace comes in knowing God is with us and will not leave us to figure out the future on our own. Asking for guidance on a daily basis is one of the greatest of all prayers.

It does take trust to turn our lives over. Yet, doing so finds us habitually enriched by God’s presence. Often while reading our Bibles God’s leading becomes clear. This walk with God brings riches of heart and soul far beyond any other way of living. It is life giving, flooded with Light and healing.

Ours is a dependable Father who came to us in Christ. And, He has rules. His “yes” is “yes.” And his “no,” is “no.” Yet, He does not force us to obey. Always we make the choice.

At times we go our own way. We rebel against God. Wanting what we want, we plunge in head first only to find shallow waters. It is a loving Father who binds up our wounds, bidding us to rest while He heals us.

Jesus said, “I assure you, unless you change and become like little children you will not enter the Kingdom of God.”

Childlike. Absolutely honest . . . close abiding . . . dependent on the Father . . . not hesitating to spill tears of disappointment, frustration, anger. Once we are cleansed of hostility, room is made for truth. Touched by His love, the “dance” begins. Oh, the joy of growing in trust of the Father—knowing He cares. In the midst of all, God understands our needs and is listening to our prayers. Our part is to watch and wait, trusting, as He will lead us through each difficulty, each uncertainty.

Walking hand in hand with the Father, trusting Him, is the most rewarding way to live–although it is the greatest of all challenges. We are always loved and never alone.

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith, MA, is a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain. Visit her home page for many more helpful articles addressing life’s difficulties and Quick Aids. Meanwhile, Joy’s blog  and her books are read in up to 32 countries. Her second site is at Healingwithjoy.blogspot.com