Choosing reliability and trust

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“The most perfect idea of God that we can form in this life is that

of an independent, unique, infinite, eternal, omnipotent, immutable,

intelligent and free First Cause, whose power extends over all

things.”

-- E.B. DE CONDILLAC

It was a day of mixed weather, mixed emotions and a mixture of

experiences. One of the highlights was talking to a friend who had

experienced victory in her life.

“I can’t describe the freedom that I feel, Cindy,” she said

excitedly. “There are so many different things about my life that I

don’t like, and I have asked God to make changes for years, but as

I’ve focused more on letting God change my attitude, I don’t care as

much about some of the different issues and circumstances. I care

more about trying to be who God designed me to be and to use any of

my past situations to help others. I know that I can trust that God

is in control and what he says in the Bible is true. He really is who

he says he is.”

She and I talked more about the gift and the freedom from knowing

a God who is not only all-powerful, but also all loving and totally

trustworthy.

Less than 30 minutes later, I walked into a small quaint store,

but was instantly uncomfortable. The feeling had nothing to do with

the items on the shelves; rather it had everything to do with the

atmosphere.

I had been to the shop before and always enjoyed the friendly

faces and conversations, but that day was clearly different. To say

it was tense would be an understatement. It felt like I’d walked into

a cloud of smoke, but actually it was a cloud of smoldering anger.

Smoke can sting your eyes, but the words were stinging to everybody

within earshot.

A young woman just inside the door was having a very heated

discussion with the woman behind the counter. A nicely dressed tall

man was standing behind the unhappy woman. I don’t know if he was a

friend there for moral support for the unhappy young gal, or if he

worked in the store himself.

I had to walk past them, but I had to navigate a narrow aisle. I

tried not to make eye contact or listen to what was being said, but I

couldn’t escape the fact that I heard phrases like “verbal agreements

from the boss,” “This is absolutely ridiculous” and “You’re acting as

if nothing I’m saying is true.”

Then I heard another woman ask, “Do you have anything in writing?”

She obviously wanted to help the unhappy woman, but either didn’t

know how to, or have authority to do much on her own.

She calmly continued by saying, “I’m not the one you talked to and

I’m not authorized to do what you are asking me.”

I heard other words as voices escalated in the conversation, such

as, “liar,” “cheat,” “dishonest” and “verbal agreement.”

I quietly bought what I needed and left the store, and prayed that

somehow God’s love would touch everyone there and that grace would be

shown.

I went outside to changing weather and swirling winds and realized

that without God, we are as unreliable as the wind and the weather. I

recalled my earlier conversation with my friend about God and stopped

to thank him for who he is. He is the only one who is always perfect,

and furthermore, he can always be taken at his word.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.