Where are you, God? https://beckielindsey.com/2019/01/14/where-are-you-god/

“Mommy, where did the moon go?” My daughter asked on our morning walk to her older brother’s kindergarten class.

“The moon is still in the sky, we just can’t see it.” I paused, knowing this wouldn’t satisfy her excellent question. “Well, the sun needs a turn, too.”

Her furrowed brows relaxed as she nodded her head. My response was adequate … for the time being.

Later that evening, I received a phone call from my husband while I was preparing dinner.

“I didn’t pass the probation period. I’ve been released from my job.” His voice was flat. “I won’t be home for a while. I need some time to think.”

I dished up the meal for my three young children but had lost my appetite. We were a single income family. I had quit my job in order to be home. What were we going to do?

“Where are you, God?” I questioned, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Silence. 

“God, I really need to know You are here and that we are going to be okay.”

Like an instant download in my mind, I recalled a Psalm I had recently read. In verse one, the Psalmist (most likely King David) cried out to God.

“Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of troubles?” Psalm 10:1 NIV

This was exactly how I felt. But then I remembered there seemed to be a change of heart and attitude by the end of the Psalm. In fact, I had noticed this pattern in many of the Psalms.

“You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.” 

What had changed Psalmist’s mind? I wondered.

As I listened to my children chatter while they ate, clueless to our family’s sudden and seemingly dire situation, I recalled my daughter’s question that morning—and more importantly, my response: “the moon is still in the sky, we just can’t see it.”

Although my circumstances had changed since that morning,
God had not. 

Just like the moon, He was still there even though I couldn’t see Him or even “feel” Him.

“The sun needs a turn, too.”

In the words of King David’s son, Solomon, “For everything there is a season.”

The real question was, would I choose to trust Him in this difficult season as I had in the good ones? 

It’s been years since that day when the Father laid a firm foundation of trust in my life. He spoke to me through His Word and through my little girl. Like the expert Builder, He has continued His “faith building” project within me. Of course, I have found myself in a number of difficult seasons and situations, crying out to God in despair only to default to the core truth of the foundation He has built upon as I have grown in my relationship with Him.

The Lord is near. As close as my very breath. And He will never leave.

Almighty Father, thank you for consistently teaching me that You are trustworthy and are always near. I know I still need work in the area of trusting You even when I can’t “feel” You. Help me to rest in Your perfect will today.

I’d love to hear your thoughts or prayer requests in the comments below.

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