52 Weeks of ForwardSample

Resting In The Love Of Our Father God

By Pastor Camelia Cross

"Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (TPT)

The rain had stopped, but small puddles were still on the sidewalk outside my office. Wonderful billowing gray-white clouds pushed eastward toward the morning sun. Our childcare workers guided a mini “tour group” of two-year-olds on an exploratory walk. Pausing, one little boy pointed to a bird he had spotted soaring overhead. Everyone looked up. They were delighted!

The goal was to keep everyone connected to a walking guide cord—the adults keeping them together by placing their tiny arms through its loops. Or they could just hang on to the cord (if they could remember to do that!).

I was impressed by the gentle, patient way the workers helped the little ones grasp the guide cord. A little girl who was very interested in a leaf in her hand dropped the cord, and a worker helped her reattach it. The little boy who had spotted the soaring bird watched the clouds and was gently gathered back in, happy to place his hand in the guide loop. With everyone now connected to the guide cord, holding fallen leaves in their hands, the whole group resumed their walk, going just fast enough that each child could walk safely.

The scene made me think of our Father’s tender love as He directs our walk in this life. We easily become distracted from the journey He has in mind for us, but His long-suffering heart faithfully redirects our steps. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He is determined to help us mature in our Christian walk. Being human, we’re imperfect, but when we fail or become distracted and forget that He is with us and for us, He is still there, our constant companion and encourager.

How often do we consciously look to Him as the loving Father we can trust to guide and direct our steps? How He must love it when we follow His lead, providing us with moments of awe and joy along the way. He walks with us, inviting us to look to Him and trust Him every moment.

MOVING FORWARD

Spend today conversing with God as you would a caring, close companion. Make sure to bring before Him every single care that crosses your mind. And don’t forget to thank Him for the beautiful leaves and clouds!