Revealing Reflections about Releasing Control

  • by Colleen Swindoll Thompson
  • 4 Comments

    • Back-to-school time!

    I’m guessing some parents (including me) are delighted, and most kids are disappointed. Kids tend to ask lots of questions before school begins: “Will I be riding the bus?” “Who is my teacher?” “Do I wear regular clothes or a uniform?” “Are the kids nice?”

    But kids don’t ask questions just about school. I recently came across some very funny questions and comments from kids about God:

    1. “Dear God: In Sunday school they told us what You do. Who does it when You are on vacation?” —Jane
    2. “Dear God: Thank You for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.” —Joyce
    3. “Dear God: My brother is a rat. You should give him a tail. Ha ha.” —Danny
    4. “Dear God: I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only four people in our family, and I can never do it.” —Nan
    5. “Dear God: We read that Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school they said You did it. So I bet he stole Your idea.” —Donna

    Kids have a way to telling it like it is—with nothing to hide and so much to give. Sometimes a child’s total honesty is humorous and helpful, and sometimes it’s harsh and hurtful. When we send our children to school, they must face the reality of dealing with other children who can be harsh and hurtful. And children with disabilities encounter even more complicated and serious difficulties; they are often easy targets for bullies. The statistics about disabled students and bullies are severely somber and reveal that school is often an unprotected and painful place.

    Questions for God

    Because my son is a student with noticeable disabilities, I worry about him. And I ask the Lord many questions. Here are some:

    1. Lord, I’m terrified he will be bullied again. Will You calm my spirit and protect my son?
    2. Lord, will You bring aid to help him when he cannot do things on his own?
    3. Lord, will You please give him strength when he is exhausted?
    4. Lord, he doesn’t have friends; I grieve when I see him alone on the playground. Will You bring him a friend?

    Someone to Call on for Help

    Do you have questions too? You can call on our Savior for help. He has not forgotten you. He is leading you, so walk by faith no matter how difficult it is. When your faith falters, He understands. We can ask Him to guide us through our unbelief. I promise you, He answers every time.

    Photo by JFXie (Flickr: O Praise Him) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
    Photo by JFXie (Flickr: O Praise Him) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
    Meditate on the following Scripture passages that offer answers to our nagging questions:

    The steadfast mind You will keep in perfect peace,
    Because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

    He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
    I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
    My God, in whom I trust!” (Psalm 91:1–2)

    If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”
    Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
    When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
    Your consolations delight my soul. (Psalm 94:18–19)

    As your loved one returns to a routine that may be out of your comfort zone, I ask you to ponder these possible worries you may have:

    1. What is the most challenging thing about letting go?
    2. Do you really believe God is loving in spite of the circumstances you are in?
    3. What would happen if you truly released your loved one to God’s sovereign care?
    4. Why have you not chosen to let go yet?

    Let Me Hear from You

    This next week, let’s connect on one or two of these questions. Admitting our fear is choosing to live with courage. Are you willing to try?

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