Witnessing Trust

We've taken Rachel to our (fairly new) church the last several weeks. I wanted to get her plugged into the youth group, but really did not know what they did and when. I talked to the youth minister a couple of weeks after we got home about getting Rachel involved. So, about two weeks ago, we took her to the middle school youth service. The church has a "mini" service for the youth where they have a "get to know you" game, sing some songs, then someone leads a lesson or sermon on a topic similar to what the pastor is teaching on then they break into small groups to discuss further. This "service" (called Cultivate) is during the service we typically go to. I've gone with her and will continue to do so until she feels comfortable going by herself. With summer starting, however, they will only have Cultivate every other week. However, they are doing a study on the Proverbs on Wednesday nights. Since she cannot read the questions (yet), we've done the homework together (I as well as her). They do the homework before they come (works in OUR favor!), then we discuss it in age and gender specific small groups (brilliant!). So this week's lesson was on Prov. 1-4. The questions are hard. They are hard for adults, but they are about growing in the Lord and the knowledge of His Word. Its a great study for me, in fact. The group was only 3 middle school girls, 1 newly graduated high school senior and an adult facilitator (well, and me).

Anyways, so we're looking at Proverbs 3:5-6 which are my favorite verses. The Message translation says them best "Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track." Awesome, uh? So, the question was asked about what areas do you struggle with fully trusting in God. In my attempt to have her answer the question, she simply said you just do it. Easy. I spent some time thinking about the verses and her answer. It made me realize that whenever it was that she came to know the Lord (I have get to find out when that was), she has had Him to trust in. She trusted He would bring her a family. That her family would love her for her and love the Lord as well. She's had few (if any) adults she could trust in her life since she's never had parents (that she remembers). It made me realize just how amazing she is and even with the incredible losses she's had in her life, how innocent and complete her trust in God truly is. And how amazing our God is. He cares for an orphan, watches over them and keeps them safe then answers her prayers for a family that loves God.

I think of those times while we were waiting to bring Rachel home where I would call or text my friend, Stacey, asking if we were on the right track. I felt like this was just too much. The obstacles kept popping up. The fear of what we were doing to our family, our Megan, our marriage. And she would always encourage me to keep going. That this was an opportunity to share the gospel to special girl. I always knew she would assure me that we were on God's path and to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. And to think she would be such a witness of God's faithful and trust in God. It blows my mind.