Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Never Means Never

A fender bender between a white Ford Explorer and a tan Honda Accord turned a three minute drive to Pumpkindoodle’s preschool into a 20 minute anxiety laden excursion. I was going to be very late picking up my daughter and I worried that she was feeling sad and scared as she waited for me.With hurried strides I entered the classroom to find my four-year-old sitting alone at her table. She was wearing her pink coat with a matching hat; her princess themed back pack was resting over her slumped shoulders. When I called out her name, her little head popped up and reminded me of a gopher emerging from its tunnel.


“Mommy,” she exclaimed!


Reaching out for my embrace, she turned her head slightly toward her teacher and confidently said, “I just knowed my mommy would never leave me.”


Do you hold such confidence in your heavenly Father? Do you know that He’ll never leave you? I ask because deep down in my soul, I didn’t always believe this truth….parts of it, yes, but the whole truth…no.


I believed that God, the creator of the universe, was always present in His creation. And, I believed that if I were oppressed, victimized, or sick, He would be with me in those dark hours.


What I had trouble believing is that God would stay by my side during the times I failed. When circumstances were tough, promises broken, and insults hurled, I found my strength in knowing that I was a child of God and that He would not forsake me. Yet, when I was the promise-breaker, insulter, liar, and the selfish hoarder, I felt not only shame and sorrow for my actions, I felt alone. And that perceived desolation, which was stationed on a lie and wrapped with guilt, often kept me from crying out to my Savior.


The portion of truth that seeped into my heart after years of resting on the surface is that with God, never means never. Scripture does not read, He will never leave you or forsake you unless you take the Lord’s name in vain, or unless you commit adultery, or unless you covet your neighbor’s house.”


Yes, my actions have consequences. No, He’s not always pleased with my choices. He knows I’ve made some bad ones. But still, He never leaves me alone…He never longs for me to self destruct. Instead, He hears my cry and rushes by my side …arms wide open.


“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (New International Version)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
1 John 1:9 (New International Version)



(Originally published in January 2009 by Angela Nazworth)




13 comments:

Mary Moss said...

What a beautiful, powerful truth you have discovered and shared with us!

God bless you!

mommy4life said...

Amen sister! Seriously, isn't grace such a wonderful thing!

sara said...

so well written Angela!!

Jennifer Perkins said...

I needed to read this today, thank you... Jennifer

Julie said...

As usual, a great read... a great word.

Thanks for your reminders... it's so true. He's not conditional... He means what He says. I love that.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and your sweet words!

Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19 said...

I remember this post! It was great then and great now!

smooches,
Larie

Kelly said...

Your duaghter is a dream. I know you had to be broken hearted to be late. I can relate.

what a wonderful joy of having knowing that our Heavenly Father will never leave us behind either. Yay!

Erin said...

She had such great faith, didn't she? And like you said, we can hope and aspire to have as much faith as a little child too.

Amico Dio said...

awe... that is such a great reminder and how precious is she? "I just knowed my mommy would never leave me". awe again! :) Thank you so much for sharing this!

LauraLee Shaw said...

OUr kids can teach us so much! This is beautiful and exceptionally written.

stacey said...

Very touching~ as always!!!!!

I love how she said "I knowed", my Josh says that too:)

White Hot Magik said...

Been there too and could not agree more. Great post!

a Tonggu Momma said...

This one touched me a lot Angela because the Tongginator still worries. She doesn't have that same strong sense of security yet, despite our four years together as a family. But I do have faith that God will fill her up completely.

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