MAY 3, Psalm 56:3

With a click, Mom fastened her seatbelt. As she adjusted the rearview 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 liked Dr. Yee, but he is away and I’m sure you’ll like Dr. Tan, too. But I totally understand. Going someplace new can be scary. There have been times I had butterflies in my stomach, too.” “Butterflies, Mom?” Jeremy replied. “It feels more 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, “so 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 told 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 had to 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 the places Dad takes us are really 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 later you were glad you went. With God, we don’t know what’s going to happen, either, but we need to trust Him. His plan is 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 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? Go to the dentist or the doctor? Were you afraid? You don’t need to be. Jesus doesn’t want you to be afraid; He wants you to trust in Him.

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