Trust

The following is used with permission: We’ve been having trouble with our children’s cell phones. Basically, they wear them out texting too much. So my oldest son Zach took his sister Lauren’s phone to the store phone to get her address book changed over into a new phone. While he had it, he went through his sister’s address book and sent a text to every guy on her list that said,

“Don’t text me, don’t talk to me.”

First, he shouldn't have done it. It is an invasion of privacy. But secondly, I’m soooo proud…

I know my son. This escapade was probably 5 to 10% funny on one level to him, but most of all he IS THE PROTECTIVE BROTHER. For that matter, so is the younger brother. And Lauren understands that...and loves it.

There is a back story to this. About four years ago Lauren came out of her room, ready for school wearing baggy clothes. They were not the most attractive and were not "hanging down to 'there.'" That kind of attire is completely not her. But she was wearing these bagging clothes that her mother and I at first glance thought of 'comfort' wear.

Her older brother was aghast.

He did the whole, "You're not wearing that are you?" complete with disgusted look and side-to-side head shake. Lauren began to protest but Zach would have none of it. Then he went on to explain in no uncertain terms what her attire was communicating.

Lauren it turns out was naive to the nature of current fashion trends four years ago at her middle school...

Without another word spoken by anyone in the room (trust me, the boy had said it all) Lauren immediately did a 180 and went back to her room and changed; her mother and I were...relieved.

On a couple other occasions our daughter has come out ready for school only to be stopped by her brothers who were not about to allow her to leave the house "dressed like that." Again, not her style to be innappropriate, but at times naive. Each time she did a little "hufrump," turned around and went back to her room to change.

She trusts them and knows that they have her back - that they will protect her. And she's right.

This episode reminds me of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. He speaks into our lives giving guidance. The key is that we trust Him when He speaks through the Scripture, through others, or through that still small voice within.

He has our back.

The key is whether or not we will trust Him. Will we protest and complain, or give a "hufrump," and do a 180 and 'pull it together?'

I wish I got it right all the time...