One Sunday afternoon my husband, myself, our three children and the dog were all on our queen-size bed and Adrian was rough-housing with the kids and they were all screaming and rolling about fighting and tickling. I was sitting propped up against the headboard and Carrie – the dachshund – became so upset with the noise and mayhem that she crawled behind me between me and the headboard. On one side of me you could just see her tail and on the other her nose.
I think it is very cute she instinctively comes to me for protection. If one of the children is chasing her, or Adrian shouts at her, she runs to stand between my feet, or under my skirt if I am sitting down.
I said to my daughter, “We should be like that with God, always putting Him between us and our problems.”
“Why?” she said, “Shouldn’t we be standing on our own two feet? Doesn’t God expect us to be able to deal with things?”
And I had to explain to her, no, God expects us to rely upon Him and to involve Him in every aspect of our lives. I pray about things I’ve lost, parking spaces, little things that are worrying me or that I won’t forget things. That is not to trivialize my relationship with God, but to express my complete dependence upon Him. I know every breath, every heartbeat, every thought is only made possible by Him.
The Bible encourages us to “dwell in the shadow of the Most High [God]” and there “He [God] will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4). It also says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you or your problems are too insignificant for God to care about, the Bible says that not one sparrow is forgotten by God “indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7).