Trust God from the Bottom of Your Heart

Week Twenty-Two | Fifty-Two 6.5.21

My grandparents were missionaries in Kenya, Africa for eleven years, which means my dad spent most of his childhood growing up without the comforts of “home”...or at least the place he called America. And actually, for much of his formative years, he didn’t have the comfort of a (traditional) home altogether. My dad lived in a boarding school with other MK’s (missionary kids), which is another chapter for another story. One that, to this day, remains filled with questions and scars. 

Yet still, my grandparents, both now with Jesus, were spiritual giants in my little girl eyes. And they remain so, even though they made mistakes and held regrets, particularly in their parenting. (Who of us haven’t, right?)

Despite their blunders, they left a legacy of love for God’s Word. My grandma even taught inductive Bible study at 90 years old. Yes, she was quite a tiny fireball for Jesus!

One of my earliest encounters with scripture was hearing my dad quote Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Not only did he often repeat it, but it basically became part of my dialect. To this day, I sometimes forget that one is not born knowing this proverb.

I’m honestly not sure exactly how old my dad was when he memorized Proverbs 3:5-6, but I do know that he tucked it away deep in his impressionable heart as he witnessed his mom and dad give up everything to follow Jesus. 

And as a 9 year old who shared his parents with a dozen other boys (in dormitory style living arrangements), he needed the steady love of the Father, especially when his own dad was “busy doing ministry.” And when his mom was faithfully tending to the needs of others, while his need for her seemed to go unnoticed.

When at just 19 years old, he returned to the states from Africa ~ alone and on his own to figure out how to grow up.

My dad is not perfect, and he’s still figuring a lot out even at 76 years old. But one thing’s for sure ~ he’s never stopped reaching for God’s promises and encouraging his family to,

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” -Proverbs 3:5-6, the Message

Trusting God.

It’s certainly not the path of least resistance (or perfect parenting), but it’s the only one that guarantees a life of lasting legacy.

My grandparents didn’t get it all right. But they gave my dad and our family the greatest Gift of all ~ the inheritance of a deep faith and love, for God and for people.

So from the bottom of my heart to yours, may *His heart be the one you learn to trust most. Even and especially when you don’t understand.

The next generation is counting on it.

(Oh and ps...after 50 years of marriage, my dad and mom are building their first home together. Because yeah, God works in mysterious ways. And He gets the last word in our stories.)