My two youngest grandchildren are just 14 months apart in age and the best of buddies–although Mathis (red shirt) finds it disconcerting that even though he’s taller than his older cousin, he never can “catch up” in age to him. 
A recent conversation illustrates his dilemma.
MATHIS: I’m 7 and Jack is 8…but when I’m 8, Jack will be 9 ‘cuz he’s one year older.
ME: That’s right. You’ll never be able to catch up with him. He’ll always be one year older.
MATHIS: No, he won’t.
ME: Oh, yes, he will, sweetheart. Jack always will be one year older than you.
MATHIS: No, he won’t.
ME: Yes, he will. Why do you think he won’t?
MATHIS: When I’m 99, he won’t be.
ME: Yes, he will, honey. When you’re 99, Jack will be 100.
MATHIS: No, he won’t.
ME: But he will–why do you think he won’t be?
MATHIS: Because he’ll be dead.
ME (suppressing shock): Why do you think that, sweetie?
MATHIS: ‘Cuz he’s older!
Gotta love how certain the kid is!
Obviously, Mathis’s logic may or may not hold up as I later explained to him that the older person doesn’t always die first.
“When you’re 99, Jack still might be alive and be 100, and you still could be best friends!” I told him.
He thought it over for a few moments and finally responded with a shrug and an “OK.”
That whole conversation got me thinking about how convinced–or unconvinced–are we of God’s truth? Are we steadfast in our belief that He will be faithful?
It’s pretty easy when life is going well. But…what about when our health is precarious? Our job is cut? Our friend betrays us? Our marriage falls apart? Our prodigal doesn’t come back? Our finances tank? Our loved one dies?
Do we refuse to be moved from God’s promises? No matter what our heart may feel. No matter what our eyes may see. No matter what our ears may hear.
Are we certain of God’s presence even in spite of what our heart may not feel, of what our eyes may not see, of what our eyes may not hear? 
When God hasn’t answered our prayers the way we desperately wanted–and knew He could–are we still convinced of His loving care for us? I love King David’s answer to that question for himself and for all of us:
My soul, wait silently for God alone,
for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him.
Psalm 62:5-8
I hope you will listen and sing along with Marty Goetz, Messianic Jewish recording artist’s song, “He is My Defense,” based on Psalm 62. Marty sings in English, Hebrew and Russian, from a live concert in Jerusalem. (Please open in your browser to hear!)
I’m a newspaper reporter-turned-author. And I’m a passionate encourager, but always a truth-teller. I worked for nearly two decades in a unique position as a patient advocate in my oncologist’s office and the Cancer Prayer Support Group I founded in 1991 is the country’s oldest such faith-based group.
2 comments
Such a heartfelt and encouraging message—thank you for sharing your faith and hope so beautifully.
~ kaka hoki
Author
Dear Kaka,
You are most welcome and thank YOU for taking time to encourage me!
Blessings of HOPE,
Lynn