The Grammar of Trust

                            
                  trust  (trst)

v. trust·ed, trust·ing, trusts

v.intr.

1. To have or place reliance; depend: Trust in the Lord. Trust to destiny.

2. To be confident; hope.

 

n.

1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.

2. Custody; care.

3. Something committed into the care of another; charge.

The beginning of this year marked a new season for me, one where God would show Himself as my source, even through the very food I ate.  Prompted by Bonnie over at Faith Barista, I found a word to mark this journey.  My word for this year is TRUST.  I remember the pain I was in and the emotional struggles that came with the pain as I felt the loneliness, guilt and shame that stemmed from my physical condition preventing me from doing what I thought I ought to be doing.  I wrote about beginning this journey here.  Now these few months later I am amazed at what God has done, not just in my body which is in a time of recovery, but also in my relationship with Him and the ministry He has put before me.  Even in my days of no "productivity," laying listless on the couch, He increased my territory even as He did Jabez.  We trust Him, because He is the One by whom all good things are done.  It is in Him that we live, move and have our being.   

      Trust is an act, 

           a verb that rests in my hands, my head and my heart.

I was recently talking with a friend who is crying out for freedom from oppression.  The words were simply, "I need a miracle."  This person confessed to being confused about God's very existence and yet experiences had shown that God would be the only answer, so together we prayed.  The miracle is up to God.  I knew in that moment that God would deliver, and that I do not have to strive for Him to do something great.  My God is good and He is trust worthy.   

      In that moment of confidence,  

             I realized my verb is also a noun. 

My friend is in the TRUST of the Lord, in His care, His charge and custody.

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,

   a stronghold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name trust in you,

   for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

                             --Psalm 9:9-10

The necklace seen in the above picture was just purchased on my very recent visit Stateside.  I had been wanting to wear my word as a reminder of the treasure that TRUST truly is.  This confidence, this assurance, this hope... it comes from knowing that God really is who He says He is.

I was thrilled to find this shop in my hometown of Tulsa.  I think Vintage Pearl did a great job making my word special and so I wanted to give them a little shout-out.  They have a lovely website and can ship internationally in addition to locations within the US.  Check them out! Perhaps there is a word or a person on your heart that you could use as inspiration for a piece.

A Story About a Dress and a Divine Appointment

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life."

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 

I was desperately looking for a dress for an upcoming event.  With only two weeks remaining, I had searched my small town and even spent a few hours going to all the shops in Waterford City.  Those who know me well know that this is some kind of torture.  I am definitely not a shopper.  My mom finds great humor in the fact that my flat is actually located on the top floor of our town's mall.  In recent years I have become more adept and can actually count a few times where I enjoyed the experience.  This has not been one of those times.  The main challenges have been time, budget, and difficult sizing.

So this week, when my Friday obligations were suddenly removed I decided to go to a mall in Cork.  Since the drive is one hour each way and I didn't come up with the plan until three in the afternoon, I knew time would be tight.  But upon walking into the centre, I felt the Lord say I would leave with my dress.  

The first shop I went into had some gorgeous high quality options, but they all cost up to two times more than my budget.  I asked a saleslady there which shops she would recommend considering this.  After an hour, I had been in every shop with no success.  I decided that if I were to spend more than planned it should at least be high quality so I began to head back to the first shop.  But the conflict about the prices came in my head and I turned to leave altogether.  Finally reminded by the the feeling of the Lord on my way in, I turned back around to the shop again.  Anybody watching me would have for sure wondered what this crazy girl was doing!

I saw the lady who had helped me before back by the fitting rooms so I told her about my shopping frustrations. She took me around the floor pulling dress after dress that might work before going with e to try them on.  It was then that I learned she had already clocked out.  She stayed and chimed in on each dress until I had found the perfect dress.  The ladies on shift stepped away for a moment and she came up to me, whispering.  "The ladies think we are friends so I can give you my employee discount of 25%." 

I was taken back and refused saying I couldn't possibly.  She looked to see if the girls were still out of ear shot.  This time she reached out and touched my arm.  She was trembling.  She said, "You're a Christian, right?"  I said yes.  She replied, "I have to do this.  Let me do this."     

I had not mentioned anything about God so I was a bit surprised.  Knowing many of the churches in Cork I quietly asked her which she attended, but she shook her head, hand still trembling said, "None.  I am a failed Christian." 

In my heart I begged God for the right words, none came so I didn't speak.  The other workers came back.  We bought the dress together, me using her discount.  I wrote my name and church on a paper with a pastor friend's church in Cork on the back.  She almost started to cry.  "That's where my ex-husband goes."  I mentioned some other churches, which she acknowledged as knowing personally, hands still trembling.  We walked out together.

I tried to thank her again and again, but she wouldn't have it.  I told her how she'd saved my life, but she acted like it was the other way around.  With nothing left to say we each turned to go our own ways.  She continued to tremble and then paused just before leaving to say.  "Wait, the final price almost even managed to fit your budget didn't it?"  Actually it had come two quid under budget.  

The scripture in Corinthians reminds us that no matter where we are or what we are doing, people will notice us.  Sometimes God just wants us to be there, living the life.  We carry the presence of God in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, this aroma of Christ that speaks to those in need.  Let us remember this, and move forward with the full confidence of Christ in us.  It is He who transforms lives.  We trust and obey.

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