Flooding my memory came a long-forgotten recollection of my three children when they were little.
Trips to visit their grandparents in Phoenix always brought special adventures, mostly because everything was just a little different from home.
My parents would play soft, soothing music on the radio as we drove around town in their plush Buick. Years later, my three children would fondly dub it “Phoenix music.” But the sweetest memories came from watching how completely they trusted my parents.
They were still too little to swim, but it never stopped their adventures with Papa. My dad would stand in the pool and call out, “Jump! I'll catch you!”
Without a moment's hesitation, each child would leap into Papa's waiting arms. Then, off they'd go on another adventure!
Oh, the beautiful trust of a little child!
As we journey through life, however, circumstances can leave us with wounds and scars. Disappointment, betrayal, and heartbreak can cause us to stop trusting. We build walls around our hearts, hoping to protect ourselves from ever being hurt again.
But God never intended for our wounds to define us or keep us from experiencing His love.
Psalm 147:3 reminds us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
What wonderful news! No matter the source of our heartbreak, God can begin the healing work within us. He meets us in our pain, gently restores our hearts, and reminds us we are never alone.
Jesus lovingly reassures us in John 14:27 (NLT): “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.”
What a precious promise! The peace Jesus offers isn't dependent on our circumstances. It comes from knowing the One who holds us securely, even when life feels uncertain.
Christian recording artist Zach Williams captures this beautiful reassurance in his music, reminding us of God's faithfulness and the comfort of knowing He will never abandon us.
Just as my children trusted Papa enough to jump into his waiting arms, Jesus invites us to take a leap of faith and trust Him with our hearts, our hurts, and our tomorrows.
We may not know what lies ahead, but we know who walks beside us.
And when fear whispers it's too risky to let go, perhaps we can imagine our loving Savior reaching out His arms and saying, “It's OK. I'll catch you!”
