Me: Baby, I would love to, but every mommy is going to want to sit in the front row and so I might not be able to get that seat - but I will be there! You might not be able to see me, but I can see you. You can wave and you can know I am there waving back at you, even if you can't see me.
Even as the words came out of my mouth, I couldn't help but think about Jesus speaking to me, "Sometimes you can't see me, but that doesn't mean I am not there."
A few Sundays ago, our pastor spoke on the passage in Mark where Jesus walks on the water. "Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake." (Mk 5:46-47) And Pastor Don said to us, "Is it more important that we FEEL safe or that we ARE safe?" The disciples didn't FEEL safe. They felt terrified and alone, but you know who saw them? Jesus. They were never in danger of drowning because he was there whether or not they felt him or could see him. Does God allow hard things to happen to us? Absolutely. But is it ever outside His control? Never.
At that moment it brought me back to Joy at her recital. She was the center of my world. The other kids on the stage were her props (sorry to all the other kids there, nothing personal 😆). If something were to happen, I would have been there in a heartbeat. She had to trust what her eyes could not see. She had to trust my character - that I love her and I was going to show up for her.
If I can ask my daughter to trust me, a fallible human, is it not completely appropriate for my Father to ask me to trust Him even though my eyes cannot always see?
You are safe in Him - even in the times you don't feel safe.
