Surrender to Trust
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”—Luke 12:22 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.—EPHESIANS 4:32 (NIV)
I patted my mother’s back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. Please don’t cry.”
Frustration had gotten the better of me. My words may not have been harsh, but my tone was. I felt awful. In my mind, excuses pinged like a game of pinball, with lights flashing and flippers clicking. I was tired. I was making dinner. It was the third time she’d called for me in the last five minutes. They were all valid excuses for me to be annoyed, but still not good enough to justify my behavior.
I thought of when I was a child and would shout, “Ma, come here! Hurry!” A minute later, I’d be calling again. Patience was far from my understanding. After all, I was young.
I remembered how my mother would say, “Give me a minute. I only have two hands.” But it was never mean enough to wrench tears from my eyes.
I don’t recall who said it to me that day, but it was as jarring as a bolt of electricity with twice the life. They were words I’d never forget: “It must be hard for her, becoming so dependent.”
Bells sounded. Scriptures flashed. I repented. I would give her ice cream for dessert.
I knew God forgave me, and so did my mother. Forgiving myself was not as quick.
Lord, help me to be compassionate so that I may receive that same compassion.
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”—Luke 12:22 (NIV)
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.—Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)
As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”—Psalm 87:7 (NIV)