Tom's bad day at school
A young relative of mine, let's call him Tom, didn't have a very good day at school recently. I could tell by his facial expressions and bodily slump that he wasn't himself and something was troubling him.
"Do you want to talk to me about anything?" I asked him.
Tom just shook his head. So I didn't press matters and just mentioned to his mum later that afternoon that something was up, as he seemed quite upset.
I was within earshot of their conversation and could hear little bits of what Tom was saying and could see Tom getting more upset as he managed to let out all of the things that happened during the day.
Between sobs and jagged shoulder movements, I could hear that Tom had been left out of a game at lunchtime, got frustrated over difficult maths work and felt annoyed that a sculpture he had made got dismantled while he wasn't looking.
Later that evening I was reflecting on what Tom had said and really felt for him that he had such a bad day at school. The issues at hand were, to him, huge and upsetting, but as an adult they seemed very small—definitely nothing to get upset over or worried about. But that didn't mean they were to be ignored.
That's when I got a little revelation.
God's got our backs!
I started to think about all of the things I can worry about and get upset over.
Things like finances, work situations, relationships, health and the unknown future. And I really felt like God was saying, "The issues that seemed huge to Tom and yet were not a big deal to you, are like all of the things you worry about and yet are non-issues for me. Don't worry, I've got your back!"
Philippians, chapter 4 verses 6-7 says:
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
"Come to me"
Just like Tom went to his mum and poured out his heart to her and was comforted by her, we can go to God and pour our heart out to him and be comforted by Him.
Matthew chapter 11, verse 28 says:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."
I love that after Tom had let out his worries and burdens to his mum, his entire countenance changed.
In this instance, Tom didn't start beaming straight away or jump for joy. Rather, he had a rested and calm presence about him. He didn't go and gossip or go hunting for those who hurt him. He was able to go on with his day calmly and with a quiet confidence. I think this was because he had been listened to and comforted by one of his main protectors, his mother. She listened, she loved and she told him that everything would work out okay.
God as the ultimate parent
I am thankful to have great earthly parents. I know not everyone has this, but thankfully we all have the ultimate heavenly Father.
We are his children and he cares about us more than we could possibly fathom. Sometimes I forget whose daughter I am—the creator of the universe—and nothing is impossible for Him!
"For with God nothing is impossible."
Jo Fuller is a primary school teacher with degrees in journalism and education. She currently lives on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and young son.
Jo Fuller archive of articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jo-fuller.html
