Sweet Timing

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 13:20-21

“I can’t wait to taste maple syrup!” Brody said, smacking his lips.

Mom laughed. She was chaperoning his field trip to the nature center to see how maple syrup was made.

As they trudged behind their group, Brody sighed. “I wish I was invited to my teacher’s wedding.”

Mom was surprised. “Why do you want to go?”

Brody frowned. “What if I get married someday? I need to know how to do it!”

“Are you afraid you won’t be ready?” Mom asked.

Brody nodded and bit his lip.

The group stopped in front of a large sugar maple. They watched a man drill a hole in the tree and tap a wooden peg he called a spile into the hole. After several seconds, the sap began to drip, and the class formed a line to get a taste.

Mom put an arm around Brody. “What do you remember about the temperatures needed to collect sap?” she asked.

“It has to be 20˚F at night and 45˚F during the day, in the spring,” Brody said.

“God cares an awful lot about the details in preparing trees for maple syrup–making, doesn’t He? But He cares about people even more than trees. He’ll prepare us for whatever He has planned for our lives—like getting married or having a job. We can have confidence in His timing.”

Brody caught a drop of sap on his tongue. “This isn’t very sweet.”

“They still have to boil it before it turns to syrup,” Mom explained. “Preparing maple syrup is a process—and being prepared for the things God wants for us is a process too. We don’t have to know everything right away. We just need to be patient and trust that Jesus is shaping us to do His will as we grow. See that little sapling?” Mom pointed to a tree no bigger around than Brody’s thumb. “It’s got a lot more growing to do before it can give sap for syrup. And you’ve got a lot more growing to do too.”

Brody smiled as they were handed a sample of sweet, golden syrup. “Let’s have maple syrup for dinner!” he said after tasting it. Mom arched an eyebrow, and Brody grinned. “You know, to remind us to be confident in God’s timing.” – Pearl Allard

How About You?

Do you worry about your future? Are you afraid you won’t be ready if you ever get married, attend college, or work at a job? You can rest knowing God cares about you much more than maple trees. He will prepare you in time for whatever He has planned for you in the future. Trust Jesus to help you grow to do His will, and be confident in His timing.

Today’s Key Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart…and He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Be confident in God’s timing