Several weeks ago, our family traveled to East Tennessee to spend some time at Dollywood. We were all looking forward to a few days away from the stress and busyness of our actual lives, and the children were excited to ride roller coasters and have a little bit of fun.
As we entered the park, Peter decided to take the three older kids with him so they could ride all the big rides while Jillienne and I headed for the kiddie ones. I spent the long walk across Dollywood telling her all about the rides she would experience, talking it up as best I could, yet I knew this would be like nothing she had experienced before.
The Carousel was the first age-appropriate ride that we saw, so we hopped in line and waited until it came to a stop. As we stepped onto the platform, Jillienne pointed out a pink and white horse she wanted to sit on. I picked her up, put her on the horse, and buckled the leather strap around her waist. i stood beside her as the ride began. Jillienne’s smile swept across her face and the wind blew her hair as the carousel went round and round. She was hooked!
Next we got in line for the Lucky Ducks ride. We watched as other children climbed into the duck cars and rode in circles. They were laughing and smiling and Jillenne looked on, intrigued. When it was her turn, I put her in the front seat of one of the duck cars, buckled her seatbelt, and then turned to walk outside the gate to watch. Jillienne’s sweet little face held a look of fear as she searched for me in the crowd. I heard her sweet voice calling, “Mommy? Mommy?”
I knew she was anxious, being left alone and not knowing what to expect. But I also knew that she would love the ride if she would only trust me. As the ride began, I saw her glancing around at the other children but she eventually looked back towards me for assurance as I smiled and cheered her on. Each time the ride came around, her eyes met mine, and she looked a little more excited. And of course, by the time the ride was over, she couldn’t wait to ride again!
Sometimes God does this same thing to us. He is a good Father yet He sometimes places us in scary or unknown situations because He knows they are good for us. Often, though, we are so full of fear that we may find ourselves kicking and screaming, struggling to get out of the uncertain situation because it seems dangerous or frightening. Instead of looking to Him for reassurance, as Jillienne did with me, we sit in our fear and let anxious thoughts overtake us.
As Christmas quickly approaches, I can’t help but think about God’s plan all those years ago. A plan to take a young teenage girl and make her the mother of the Saviour of our world. I think of young Mary often at this time of year and wonder at her bravery. Her trust in the Lord’s plan for her life. She must have been terrified as she approached Joseph, her betrothed, with the news of her pregnancy. As she glanced around, she surely knew her friends and family would be ashamed of her. Yet she kept her eyes on her Heavenly Father, looking to Him for assurance.
I want to be like Mary. I want to trust that God has a plan, particularly in the year 2020. Although life is back to normal in some respects, I still find myself feeling anxious and stressed, often without even knowing the cause of my anxieties. There is much to worry about yet I know God is not surprised by any of it.
For us, and for many of you, Christmas looks different this year. No holiday parties, socially distanced family gatherings, less hugs and personal touch, talking to grandparents through screen doors. It’s not exactly how we want to spend the “most wonderful time of the year.” But God has a plan and a purpose.
So, like Jillienne who searched for my face in the crowd, I will search for my Heavenly Father in this unknown and sometimes bleak year. I will look to Him, trusting that His plans are good.
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth