Trust

I've realized just how much that every bit of life depends on one simple, but necessary element. Trust. I used to think that trust was merely a feeling, or an action you did to show forgiveness, gratitude, or even love. As I grow in my faith, and in my depression, I learn that trust is as necessary as air itself. As I walk to the car I trust that I won't fall down the flight of wooden stairs, or trip over the hose lying on the sidewalk. I trust that the driver behind me will be paying enough attention to stop or slow down as they see me stop at a red light. We trust so much and don't even notice. If we can't or won't notice that we're trusting elements, people, subjects, how are we to notice when others are trusting us? Should we be thankful in that trust?

Today I am reminded of a guest that I helped check out yesterday at work. It was a younger couple that had a single item; a clock. They approached the cash stand as I said "Have a wonderful day" to the last guest that recently left my register area. She hadn't purchased anything, however, she wanted me to ring her items up to see how much they would cost her. As I greeter the younger couple I stood there voiding each item on the screen instead of just 'aborting' the whole transaction. The young woman was reading the screen and at first had a look of worry in her eyes; no doubt because there were several items shown, totalling well over the amount of her item. As I noticed her surprise I said, "the screen is going to show you a bunch of items but you're not actually paying for them, don't worry." The young woman looked up at me and with a relaxed stance she smiled and said, "okay".

Shouldn't we have the same level of gratitude as we do trust? She had no idea what I was doing or even if I knew what I was doing, but she trusted not to question me. She didn't know me, or my background but yet she put her trust in swiping her credit card even though the screen told her that there were more items than she had at the cash stand. As I bagged her clock I started to think about the notion in general and it made my common goodbye so much more valuable, because I genuinely had a feeling of gratitude that she believed me, without a question or doubt, that I was going to take care of her, that I was telling the truth. I was that much more thankful.

As I left the mall today I crossed the parking lot and was reminded just how much we can trust someone, or something and that trust isn't noticed or isn't even respected. I stepped off the sidewalk and onto the pavement, crossing into the first lane towards my car when a large black truck jetted out in front of me. At first I continued my pace thinking they would have to yeild to me because I was already walking and that at the pace I was going it wouldn't take me long to get out of their way, however, my trust was misplaced or rather devalued. The truck continued on their path, at their pace, intruding my steps.

I think that God has given us so much of His own trust that we are often much like the black truck, instead of the younger woman at the cash stand. Often when we are told something completely different from what we see on the screen, proof, that we find it easier to ask the questions until we see the visible difference on the screen. But God wants us to look up, relax our stance, smile, and say, "okay". Often I find that I am yet another person who doesn't value the strengths and abilities that God has given me. I question, and I try to figure it out so much that my trust turns into a fear, which turns into an obsession, which leads to the darkness. "Relax", He'll tell me and yet I'll continue to put my foot on the gas regardless of who's standing right there, trusting me to slow down so they can pass.

Tonight, I am thankful for these thoughts. Tonight I am thankful for these notions and as little of trust as I think I have in certain people in my life, I take comfort in knowing that I have so much more trust in everything else, which gives me hope to be able to trust more in Him.

My hope is that someone will benefit from these simple words and my prayer is that you may know His glory and His good works through you as well.

Love,
Katie