Trust the Catcher by Laura Lee Groves

I want to know…now!
How’s this going to end up?
Is what I’m doing worth it in the long run?

So many questions, so little trust. That’s me, all too often.

I’m seeing the need for trust all over the place – in my life, the life of my family and friends, in our culture.

In reality, the problem doesn’t seem to be a lack of trust; instead, it’s misplaced trust. I don’t need more trust. I just need to put it in the right place.

When I want to know now, I’m trusting in me. I’ve decided, on my timetable, that this is the time to know. I’m not waiting on anyone or depending on anyone – I’m relying on myself and my own timetable.Misplaced trust.

It’s wobbly trust, unsure, and I never feel secure with it. It happens over and over again. I've trusted in my own expectations and ability in marriage, in mothering, in writing, in work. I seem to think what I do will be a determining factor.

And in so doing, I discount the work of the One who loves me and knows what’s best for me.

My friend Jean wrote a post called Story Time with Henri Nouwen which quotes the story Nouwen told about a troupe of trapeze artists. The trapeze artist explains that it's not his job to catch himself; he must not grab or cling…he simply flies and waits for the catcher to catch him.

The trapeze artist said it like this: "A flyer must fly, and a catcher must catch, and the flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him."

So, my job is to fly. I need fuel for that and inspiration and light, so it’s best that I fly close to the Son, don’t you think?“A flyer must fly…with outstretched arms…and his catcher will be there for him.”So, fly on – and trust the Catcher.

Laura Lee Groves is the red-headed mom of four red-headed boys and the author of I'm Outnumbered! One Mom's Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys. A writer and a teacher, her heart is for moms. Laura writes that motherhood "is the noblest profession, and we can't do it all alone." Visit Laura's blog, Outnumbered Mom, to help yourself, your family, and your spirit, and to find ways to reach out to other moms.