Deuteronomy 31:8 - "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Joan sat with her three children at the dinner table to plates of macaroni and cheese. In the midst of the sounds of giggling, laughing, and eating she stared out the window, barely touching her own plate. There was no food in the house, no bread or eggs or meat. There was only a little milk left.
Joan worked for years as a quality assurance specialist at a fortune 100 company, but shortly after the economy tanked, she lost her job. That was a year ago, she thought to herself, and still no luck at finding employment. For Joan, her job was more than just work- it was what put food on the table, what paid for daycare, what bought clothes, what kept her children happy and healthy. In her heart she felt like there was no future since her husband died- like she and her children were doomed to a life of mac and cheese dinners. Joan had these discouraging moments and thoughts from time to time.
Her deep thoughts were broken by her four year old boy. "MMMM Dee-lisis!" A smile broke out across her face. Her little boy was almost done with his dinner. The discouragement that overtook Joan for a moment, and the fear of what tomorrow would bring- would it ever get better- was displaced by the joy of a little boy.
Joan realized that her son trusted in something that she often forgot. He knew that his mother would always be with him, would never leave him, and would always love him. He trusted this without a doubt. For a child, hardships and trials are anchored in this perspective. Joan, and all of us too, can cast fear and discouragement aside because we know that God – our heavenly father- will never leave us or forsake us.
We may not always have a lot of food, but we’ll have enough. We may not see a bright future, but we know God is right there with us whatever might happen. The times might be dark, but God stands with us in the darkness. In this promise we are freed to enjoy with thankfulness and deeper appreciation all that we do have despite the things we don’t.
