A few weeks ago I was having dinner with a friend when he asked me a question: “What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned since Michael has died?” Gee, and I thought it was just a casual dinner! Here we are delving into deep waters.
At first I couldn’t really come up with an answer. (I know — imagine me speechless!) Several things floated through my mind. The fact that I’ve learned to give blood without passing out. The many, many legal and business dealings that I’ve taken over. The negotiating with contractors that I never planned to do. But none of these seemed qualified as “the biggest thing”.
In a few moments I knew what the answer was: “I’ve learned to trust God.”
Now, I started trusting God when I was 12 years old and first prayed the sinners’ prayer in my bedroom at home. I trusted God when when I told Michael I would marry him. I trusted God when the doctors told me my first baby wouldn’t live. I’ve trusted God when I’ve traveled and when I’ve had surgery. I trusted God through raising three kids, letting them leave my sight and hearing Michael’s diagnosis. But I don’t think I’ve ever trusted God like I have in the last 15 months.
You see, for much of my life I’ve been trusting in Michael. I knew for years that I depended on him way too much. In all our years together, no matter what we faced we faced it together. Sometimes there were difficult situations that we struggled with. But there was never anything that came between us. It was always Michael and me against whatever came up. But as those years passed, I also know that the scariest, worst thing I could ever imagine was to have to face life without Michael. Just the thought of it as I would go through my day would bring me to tears. I thought we could face anything as long as we were together.
So now, for me to look ahead and have to face each day without Michael is a nightmare come true. And I realize like never before that I have to trust God. Now I have to trust Him to talk me through decisions. I have to trust Him to defend me. I have to trust Him to ride along with me as I travel, to keep me alert as I drive long distances, to keep me company when I spend the night alone in a strange hotel room. I have to trust Him to help me plan for my future and my finances. I have to trust Him to help me know when to speak and what to say. I don’t have Michael any more as a sounding board for these things.
So, yes, my biggest lesson is to learn to trust God. To trust Him more and more each day. I should have learned to trust Him this much earlier. But I’m learning now.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more! Hymn – Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus