Tip of My Iceberg

From the time we’re little, we need to be comforted. When babies are born, they’re often crying, and being placed on their mother’s chest or cuddled by their dad often calms them as they observe their new circumstances.

With the birth of each of my children, they chose different things to be their comforter, like Linus of Charlie Brown fame who notoriously held onto a blanket for longer than he should have. These items varied, but for the first five, they didn’t linger long with the item. A blanket or fluffy stuffed animal lasted just a few months.

When Debbie came along, she had a yellow blanket with a silky edge that she always needed with her. As months went by, she’d drag it around, hang onto it when sleeping, and the silky began to separate from the rest of the blanket. I’d sew it continually–and it got smaller and smaller. When she no longer wanted it, it was a done deal.

Kolly, Debbie’s little gal, has two baby dolls she loves. It began as a single doll–we gave it to her as her first doll, not knowing if she’d enjoy it. She loved it so well, feeding it her food, taking it with her wherever she went, that I thought it wise to buy one just like it in case the first one had to go in the wash.

She found the box with the second doll in it; there was no trying to get her to forget what she’d seen. She now hauls the two around as if she has twins. They give her a sense of what she can depend on–those two dolls are there and won’t leave her.

We seek comfort because life, no matter what age we are, isn’t dependable. We’re not guaranteed results, nor are we assured of safety.

This is how the Israelites felt for much of their history. Once they reached the Jordan River, ready to cross over into the Promised Land after wandering for forty years in the desert, they were unsure. It hadn’t been an easy journey. They’d watched many of their family members and traveling companions die as they moved toward their goal. They were tired, worn out. Moses, who’d led them most of the way with strength and faith, had died. Joshua was to lead them into this new season of life.

They needed to cross the Jordan River at the height of the rainy season, when it was overflowing its banks. It looked fearsome.

God spoke to Joshua, reminding him that He was with them. God had led Moses, and He promised He’d be with Joshua as well.

“This is My command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you WHEREVER YOU GO.” Joshua 1:9.

That’s what we want to hear when we’re disrupted–don’t be afraid. Fear goes hand in hand with disappointment, unexpected problems, and unmet expectations. Joshua needed to know that he had nothing to fear because the God of all creation was with him and would never leave him.

That’s God’s guarantee to us when we choose to know Him personally.

King David understood this.

“For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Psalm 32:7-8

God never promised the going would be smooth; He promised He’d be in it all with us. Guiding us through those flood waters, leading us to hope. His security.

Kolly finds solace in her babies because she’s in control. She can pick them up and put them down when she chooses.

We need to choose to allow God to lead us in the ways He knows will satisfy us.

It may mean putting down some of our security blankets and trusting Him.