Braided Trust

When I was about 7 years old, I loved to make friendship bracelets. I had saved up my allowance to buy some new materials to make more bracelets. I had two options at the store. I could buy a small roll, use only a little of my money and make a few bracelets for myself, or I could buy a large spool and spend all my money. Then I could make some new bracelets, give some away, and make my money back by selling the extras to some of the neighborhood kids. I went for the latter.

I was so proud of my new purchases. I went right outside with all these materials, and sat on a wall outside my friends building. I began to make many bracelets. I tied one on my wrist, and began to put the rest of my finished products into a bag. Pretty soon, a neighbor girl I wasn’t very familiar with came to visit with me. She noticed the bracelets, and complimented them. I told her I was selling them for a quarter. We talked for quite some time. I was just finishing up the very last bracelet, and realized I needed to use the restroom. She agreed to watch the bracelets until I got back.

I hurried and took care of business, and when I returned, the girl was gone, and so were my bracelets.  I knocked on the apartment door that she lived in, and she answered. I asked about my bracelets, and she said she had left them on the wall.

They were gone, and I was so upset. Not just because all my money was lost, but I put a lot of hard work and effort into those bracelets. Not to mention this new “friend” I made was untrustworthy.

I walked home slowly and began to cry, I tried to fight back the tears, but there was no use. I told my mother what had happened. That became a very valuable lesson in my life. My mother talked to me about trust, and how trust is earned.

This reminded me of the trust we need to place in our Heavenly Father. He has done everything to earn our trust. But, how many times do we give Him the feeling of being robbed. He has given us everything we have. How much do we give back to Him? Time, money, attention – or even a relationship…

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
   Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
   your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
   give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
   your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
   don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
   a father's delight is behind all this. Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)