“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
“Because I said so!” thundered my dad (way too many times).
I hated when my dad answered my “Why” questions like this. I vowed that I would never do this to my kids; that I would always explain my reasons. And then I had my own kids, and, and well, I did honestly try to explain to my children. I wanted them to understand. But sometimes, I knew that because of their immaturity, there was no way they could understand. Maybe I knew the truth would be just too much for them to carry. Maybe it was because I knew that I was hoping to have something better for them but was still working out the details. Maybe I could not offer an explanation because I needed to honor someone else’s confidentiality. So, I would become my dad and tell them, “Because I said so.” I now believe this to be one of the Godlier expressions a parent or anyone in a responsible position can utter. Not that it should be overused, but sometimes, it is the best answer.
Sometimes, we can’t understand. Sometimes we just don’t need to know why, at least right now. I feel like that is where we are in our current circumstances. Why are we dealing with so much change, while we are dealing with so much sickness, while we are dealing with such a worker shortage? Why? It is just not for us to know.
Acceptance of this response “Because I said so” comes down to trusting the one who has spoken. Oh sure, we can tolerate the news or instruction with resentment, but if we love and respect our dad, we will instead trust and be obedient. We will keep on honoring the work set before us, the mission of the Mission.
This calls to mind the old song, Trust and Obey:
We are in a season of trusting right now. Let us seek to trust and obey. And one thing we know is this, God will surely bless us for our faithfulness, in His own timing and His own way.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.” (Matthew 24:45-47)
In Christ,
Judy
Trust and Obey
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]
judycline 