Stepping Out in Faith

" If you love your father and mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

"If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will save it.

"Those who welcome you are welcoming me. And when they welcome me they are welcoming God who sent me. If you welcome a prophet because he is a man of God, you will be given the same reward a prophet gets. And if you welcome good and godly men because of their godliness, you will be given a reward like theirs.

"And if, as my representatives, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:37-42 (TLB)

Nancy Robinson lives in News Brunswick, Canada. She wiped her tears as she hurried to her car after leaving the senior-care facility where her mother lived. She was 89 years old and had dementia. Her heart was aching after saying goodbye; Nancy didn't know when she'd see her again. Her husband was an Anglican priest and had accepted a call to serve in a parish almost five hours away. Nancy would no longer be able to visit her mom every day as she'd done for the past few years.

Nancy loved her mother so much it hurt. Although she no longer spoke, she still recognized Nancy when she visited. Her eyes lit up when she saw her, and she would touch her hair and adjust her scarf or necklace. Nancy worried she wouldn't get the same care without her around, and she was afraid she would forget her.

Walking away from her mother to serve the Lord was a sacrifice. It took courage, faith, and a deep trust in God's promises never to leave Nancy or her mother. Even when we cannot be present to care for our loved ones, God's presence holds them and doesn't let go. In response, we can step out in faith. We can entrust our loved ones to God's care and have confidence that God will strengthen us for our journey.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for caring for us and our loved ones. Give us strength to follow your call and serve you, in Jesus' name. Amen.