Give It to God

"Mom, I'm scared," Presley whispered in the middle of the night. "I can't sleep. I keep thinking about Isabel and her car accident. What does intensive care unit mean?"Mom offered her a much-needed hug. "Presley, have you not been able to sleep because of this? It's scary, isn't it? Intensive care unit means she's getting extra care at the hospital right now.""I woke up wondering if I will ever see Isabel again," Presley said. "I would miss her so much."Presley's mom went to the kitchen and came back with two glasses of milk. "I know this is really hard. I've been praying for Isabel and her family ever since Pastor Jim called. The doctors are doing all they can, but it's possible she may not survive."Tears welled up in Presley's eyes. "How could God let this happen?"Mom shook her head. "Some things we just don't know. The best thing we can do is trust God." "But how?" asked Presley. "I just get a sick feeling in my stomach whenever I think about it.""Here." Mom picked up a stack of textbooks Presley brought home from school that day. "Hold these in your arms. How would you like to carry these books for days, weeks, months, maybe even years?"Presley felt the weight of the books sink into her arms. "I'd get tired of carrying them. They're heavy." "Don't you think worry is the same way? We can choose to carry our fear and worry, but we get tired of carrying it because it's so heavy. Or we can let God carry it for us, knowing He loves us so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to set us free from sin and make us His children." As she said this, she took the books from Presley, relieving her of the heavy weight. "See? How does that feel?""Much better," Presley replied with a small smile. "I guess I need to trust God to carry my worry about Isabel for me." "We'll pray together," said Mom as she tucked Presley back under the covers. "And then you get some sleep. Maybe we'll be able to go visit Isabel in the hospital tomorrow."-Meredith Brower