Trust

When did I start associating the word “trust” with passivity? 

Today we were exploring dishwashers and counting how many “spinning things” they have in them. (What other criteria do you really need?) One of our stops was at our local mega home-improvement store where they happened to be using a loader to move inventory.  In Caleb’s mind the loader was a huge truck about to run him over at any moment. Its beeping was a regular reminder to take cover.  In actuality, the truck was about a quarter of a mile away at the other end of the store and had no intention of crashing through appliances to come and get us. 

When I saw Caleb’s fear and frantic response, I felt like I was looking into a mirror.  How many times do I see a threat and completely freak out?  Whether the threat is very real or only perceived doesn’t matter.  What matters is who I trust.   

Psalm 25:15 “My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” 

Here’s what I learned about trust from my son this morning:

Trust is holding Mommy’s hand.

Trust is not incessantly herding your sibling so close to Mommy that you both fall down.

Trust is taking deep breaths and calming down.

Trust is not crying every time you hear the loader’s “beep.” 

Trust is believing Mommy when she says she will protect you from the truck.   

Trust is not running after the truck, yelling at the driver, and disarming the truck yourself.  (Ok, Caleb didn’t actually do this.)

Trust is listening to Mommy’s questions and focusing on what she asks you to do. 

Proverbs 3:5-7: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.  Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” 

Conversations

We’re starting to work on our fourth memory verse with Caleb, and when I say memory verse I mean verse that he “reads” or says with help from Mommy.  I’m still pretty proud of him!  The first three have just happened to start with the word “for.” The new verse starts with “but.”  On hearing this, Caleb said, “But that’s not the way verses go!” 

And as we were talking about the new verse for the week, Romans 5:8, Caleb said, “I not sinner anymore.  I growed up.”

Me: “But the Bible says all have sinned.  Remember Romans 3:23? It say “All have sinned….”  Has Mommy sinned?  Sophia?  Daddy? Grandpa and Grandma?” 

Caleb: “Yes.  But I not sin anymore.” 

Oh Lord, help me lead this child to your forgiveness and grace instead of self-sufficiency.  What do I say to that?

This morning over breakfast we were talking about the verse again and had the same conversation.  I then reminded Caleb of one way he had already disobeyed Mommy before breakfast.  After arguing about about whether it was disobeying or not and thinking for a bit, Caleb said, “Pray, Mommy.”

“Pray about what?”

“Pray that I not sin anymore.”

And just to keep things real, this is the conversation we had as Caleb and Sophia were getting dressed:

Caleb: “Why don’t boy pants have pink buttons, Mommy?”

Me: “Because pink is a girl color.”

Caleb: “But Caleb likes pink too.”

Amelia Bedelia

We have an aspiring Amelia Bedelia on our hands:

Amelia Bedelia, genuinely concerned: “Can you fix them?”

Me: “Fix what?”

Amelia Bedelia: “The rules.”

Me: “Why do the rules need fixing?”

Amelia Bedelia: “You said Sophia’s breaking the rules.”