By My Father's Side

By Jennifer Finley

The bustling store bursts with bright lights and crowds of people hurrying to make their last gift choices before Christmas. I notice a young girl, barely 5 years old, standing a short distance from the line of people at the checkout. She catches my attention because she is so caught up in the excitement around her. She notices the bright racks of clothes around her and soon wanders away from her mother's side.

Moments later, a fearful cry pierces the air as the girl realizes that she has lost sight of her mother. She frantically looks around, hoping to catch a glimpse of anything that may look even vaguely familiar. She is lost, confused and alone.

Like the lost young girl. I look around to see that I have strayed from my Heavenly Father's side. I may have started out on the path that He laid out for me, but I become disoriented by my interest in the competitive goals that life has to offer: successful careers, stable relationships, established finances and new responsibilities.

I am not purposely moving away from Him. I am just drawn by the insurmountable desire to experience the bright choices that life has to offer. Often too late, I realize the consequences of fear, anxiety and frustration that my distractions have caused. I realize that I would be within God's protective plan if I had stayed by His side. Anxiety overcomes me—just as it does to that young girl separated from her mother. I, too, feel that cry of fear that threatens to explode.

However, the story of the child does not end here. She has been looking around fearfully and uncertainly. If only she would look up, she would see that her mother has been and is watching her every move from just a few steps away.

Could it be, too, that my Heavenly Father is watching over me? Could it be that no matter how far away I think I have strayed, He has kept me within His sight? If only I would turn my eyes upward, I would see that He is still in control of my life. I would understand that I have never left His watchful eye. I would know that He is still working on my future. And I would trust that He will continue to care for me.

This article was originally published in 1999 under the author's maiden name, Jennifer Nead, on the back of church bulletins from Light and Life Communications. It was reprinted with permission of Publisher John Van Valin.

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