MAY 3, Psalm 56:3

With a click, Mom fastened her seatbelt. As she adjusted the rear view mirror, she caught a glimpse of Jeremy’s worried face. “Honey, is everything all right?” she asked. “I’m afraid to go to the dentist, Mom,” Jeremy moaned with both arms wrapped around his stomach. “It’s making my stomach hurt.”

“I’m sorry, honey,” said Mom. “You always like Dr. Yee but he is away and I’m sure you’ll like Dr. Tan too. I can totally understand: going to a new place can be scary. There were times I had butterflies in my stomach too.” “Butterflies, Mom?” Jeremy replied,“It feels more like elephants! Or a whole zoo!” Mum smiled “Like the animals we saw at the zoo last week?”

Jeremy’s grimace turned to a smile as he thought of the surprise ride and the trip to the zoo. “Dad likes to surprise us, doesn’t he?” he said. “He does, and neither you nor I had a clue as to where Dad was taking us,” replied Mom. “ Were you afraid?” “Of course not, Mom!” Jeremy replied. “I trust Dad. He always takes us on the best surprise rides!”

“Yes.And what would you say, Jeremy, if I tell you this trip to the dentist is like one of the surprise rides Dad gives us?” Mom asked. “What do you mean?” Jeremy was puzzled.

“Think of Jesus as our driver; and just like you trust Dad, you need to trust Jesus,” said Mom. “But Dad always takes us to fun places,” said Jeremy. “Going to the dentist isn’t fun.”

“Not all places Dad takes us to are fun,”replied Mom,“but they’re good places for us. Like the time he took us to help out at the old folks’ home– Lentor Residence. You weren’t quite sure about that at first, remember? But after that you were glad you went. We may not know what’s going to happen at times, but we need to trust God. His plan is always perfect.”

Mom patted Jeremy’s knee. “I recall Psalm 56:3: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Mom winked. “So what do you say we leave those elephants in the zoo behind and go to Jesus right now?” “Okay,” agreed Jeremy, “and I’ll ask Him to help me remember that verse too.”

Thought: Has God taken you on a “surprise ride” lately? Like a trip to the dentist or the doctor? Were you afraid? You do not need to be. Jesus does not want you to be afraid; He wants you to trust in Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I remember the lesson and the verse for today, that I may always trust in You even in “surprise rides”! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.