When you become a parent, your sense of creativity seems to heighten. You are always looking for ways to make memorable experiences with your kids. Memories that they will cherish forever. In our household, Kadine is a creative genius. I am a big picture kind of guy, and she is all about the little things. Yesterday, at dinner, she told us we were going to have a Blindekuh experience. 

Like you, I silently wondered what she was talking about, but she explained to us that Blindekuh was a restaurant in Zurich. It was inspired by a blind Swiss pastor name Jurg Speilman who routinely blindfolded the dinner guest who came to his house. He said they paid more attention to the food that way, and also listened to each other better. It crossed my mind that she just wanted us to eat our vegetables, but I went with it. She was gracious enough to tell us to observe the table --- to look at the placement of our plate, utensil, and drink. Then we blindfolded ourselves. We searched for each other hands in the dark, I said the grace, and we ate dinner.  We doubled our time at the table. Towards the end of our meal, we took the blindfolds off, and I realized that our meal was less flavorful once we were able to see it.

Trusting God often feels like this exercise. Often, we feel conflicted because there is so much happening in the world and our lives. We don’t know where we are going, and we don't know who to trust. This is when doubt creeps in. 

We doubt when expectations go unmet, or when there seems to be no answer to a challenging situation.

We doubt when we feel lonely, rejected, or depressed or when we face struggle after struggle with no end date.

We doubt when we are walking with the Lord faithfully, and then tragedy hits.

We doubt when small lingering trials go on and on, and we wonder where God is in the midst of it all.

We doubt because of our humanity, and while it may be human – it is not okay to remain in a state of doubt.

One thing that is responsible for doubt is fear. Jesus was walking on water towards his disciples, and when they saw him, they were afraid.  Peter asks Jesus to command him to join Him. Peter started walking on water, but when he saw the wind he was afraid and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord save me," Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:25-31 

Friends, without a doubt, these are challenging days. But do not allow the current events of our time to discourage you, and do not allow the spirit of doubt to get the best of you. God is still faithful.

Reflection:

Have you gone through seasons of doubt? What caused you to doubt and how did you overcome it?

Let Us Pray:
Dear Lord, just like our other senses heightened when we are blindfolded, Blindfold our doubts so that our faith can be heightened. 

Thank you for an opportunity to give You control of my life. I don’t always understand what is happening in our world and some days I feel afraid and vulnerable. Take my doubt and fear and replace it with belief and faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Blessed Love,

Rev. O