Why do we find it so difficult to trust in God? We believe in God. We have faith in Him. But do we trust Him? In the Trust series, we look at one last woman whose story encourages us to trust. I asked her the same set of questions I asked all of them: What is your definition of trust? Was there ever a moment where the only thing you could do in a situation was to trust God? What makes you know you can trust someone?
After reading this woman’s responses, I needed to know more about her story. God led the two of us together in a Bible study, and during the second week of class, she gave me a bookmark with a poem she had written on it. That day she introduced me to one of her spiritual gifts—compassion.
Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV) says, “Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others,”
Trust means to believe or depend on someone—to count on them to do what they say they will do and know that their word is true. “Life isn’t easy with a special needs child,” she started out telling me. “We didn’t even know he had special needs until he reached his high school years. He was misdiagnosed with ADHD as a child. He went through more testing in high school and was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. That diagnosis was accurate and explained many things,” she said.
We continued talking, and she began to reflect over the years. “As a teacher, I would look at parents who had children that excelled academically, and I wished my son could be an excellent student. But, I felt so bad having those thoughts. I think God gave me Glenn to have empathy for moms with difficult children so I would know how to love those kids. But unfortunately, some special needs children never grow up, and Glenn is no exception. Although he lives on his own, we have to threaten to take things away from him to get him to take care of himself. For example, we’ve told him we would take his TV away if he doesn’t keep his condo straight or neglects taking his daily medications. It may sound strange, but routine things for adults are not routine for him. Even though he’s in his fifties now, he still has a very stubborn streak like many small children do. But he also has a very sweet personality.”
He has a full-time job and has worked for a grocery store for 15 years. She told me the employees and regular shoppers love him and tell her all the time how much they love and appreciate him.
After a long pause, Betty said, “When Glenn had a heart attack during the Pandemic, he was taken to a hospital about 35 miles away. He was all alone for five days before undergoing heart bypass surgery. I felt so helpless. All I could do was trust that God was with my son. I prayed and prayed to God for Him to do something for me to be able to go see him.”
“I’ve always faithfully prayed for other people. But during one of the most difficult times in my life, I experienced the faithful prayers of others. So many prayer warriors were around us, and they were lifting us up to our Father.”
God gave her a blessing. The nurse worked it out for her to be able to go in and pray with him just before his surgery. “I know people have gone through much more pain and heartache than this. But at that moment, I just needed to be with my child. I am very thankful God answered my prayers.”
Glenn came through the bypass surgery fine, and he is still living on his own and working at the grocery store. God is good, isn’t He?
This woman put her belief in God into action and trusted him.
How about you? Are you at a place where it seems there is no hope? Why not put your trust in the One who can be trusted? Lean not unto your own understanding and trust.
Blessings y’all!!!
Annette Burrell
CHM Contributor
