Father Knows Best

I love my mama something fierce. I consult her about everything. I kid you not – everything. “Mom, Jude just peed down the air return vent. How should I proceed?” “Be honest, do my ghostly white legs provoke squinting?” “Mother! I’m 30, why do I still care what she thinks?”  She is a sweet, patient soul, so she puts up with my constant inquiries, as do many of the people I cherish most, including my devoted husband.

But when I turned to them and others these past months to ask if things would be OK, if our country had any chance at unition, I didn’t receive the response I am accustomed to. There were no replies of “let it go” or “don’t stress about it” but rather “I don’t know” and “I sure hope so.”  Nobody had a clear answer. I’m not sure anyone does. There are many uncertainties. With so many outcomes to overthink and dramatize, it’s easy to get caught up in a tailspin of worry. Been there, done that. Anxiety is an intense, afflicting path I can’t afford to venture down ever again.

I needed to avert my looming fears. So I did something I should have done from the very start. I sought counsel from my Father. Not my dear old man, but my Creator, God the Almighty. I turned to Him in prayer, begging for answers and relief. He didn’t disappoint. He reminded me of my incredible children, my affectionate husband, my parents, and those who matter most. He narrowed my focus and then directed me to His teachings. I started searching for verses about His promises and about unity and division. Do you know what I learned? I learned that God knows His people. He knows that we disagree and that we hurt each other. He knows that we need His grace and guidance and He gives us both out of love. I found countless verses that parallel our current state of affairs. There were a handful that deeply resonated with me. I’ve compiled them according to topics.

On division:

Mark 3:24-26

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.”

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

On unity:

Colossians 3:12-15  

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Ephesians 4:1-3 

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

On prosperity and His promise:

Psalm 50:15 

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

God didn’t tell me what the upcoming days and years will look like. He didn’t hint at possible outcomes. But he did remind me of His many reassuring promises. He also directed my path by showing me the effects of division. He has led me to search out ways to unite the ones around me. He softened my heart to those with whom I disagree so I would be able to discuss our differences respectfully without feelings of contempt or judgement. Most importantly, He ignited within me stronger feelings of compassion, justice, and love.

So, in the days and years to come I vow to listen and act upon the words of my Father by doing less complaining and more thanking, less avoiding and more helping, less judging and more loving. As Mother Teresa said, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”

Much love from my home to yours,

Rebecca