Holding On

I started a new book on the train Wednesday evening on my way to church. The book is called "That Certain Spark" by Cathy Marie Hake. I've read most of her books and expected a light read, which is perfect for a noisy train ride. I opened to the dedication page and found "There are many forms of courage -" followed by a list. About halfway down the list was this:

Holding on to God with trust instead of desperation.

That brought many mental images. Images of desperation and trust. Desperation is a child, terrified of dogs, climbing up their Dad's backside when a dog is within eyesight. Trust is believing when Daddy says, "I won't let it get you."

Webster defines desperation as:
1 : loss of hope and surrender to despair;
2 : a state of hopelessness leading to rashness

Trust is defined as:
1 a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b : one in which confidence is placed
2 : dependence on something future or contingent : hope
— in trust : in the care or possession of a trustee

I recently heard of an acquaintance who committed suicide. I can only imagine the desperation that drove them to that point in life - utter loss of hope that lead to such a rash decision. While the act of suicide takes one instant of desperation, living takes days of trust and that takes lots of courage.

I've posted this more than once, but when I think of trust, I always come back to this quote from Mom's Bible:

Trust
Sure, it takes a lot of courage

To put things in God's hands,
To give ourselves completely,
Our lives, our hopes, our plans,
To follow where He leads us
And make His will our own,
But all it takes is foolishness
To go the way alone.

So hold on, with trust, to the One Who is always trustworthy.