This past week we took our first out of state trip (which included a 3+ hour plane ride) with our almost 3-month old. As we approached our trip, I spent countless hours canvasing through blog after blog digesting the wisdom of brave parents who have traveled before with an infant. I will admit, I had some fear about this task (ok veteran parents, now is your time to laugh at me for dreading travel with just 1 baby).

Needless to say, everything went even smoother than I could hope for. It was on this trip that a concept my wife discussed with me weeks ago came to light.

On this trip we submitted our little one to numerous new encounters; planes, hotels, car rides, museums, and the worst of them all, a carnival midway. And along the way, it never mattered to him where he was – but rather, who he was with.  Anytime the situation would become questionable, he would look to me or my wife for stability and then he would simply relax for the journey. Commotion, change, weather, and even carnies – nothing shook him as long as we were holding him.

What a lesson for us. Just as he was confident in our arms, so should we be in the arms of our God.

It never matters what is going on around you, as long as you know who has you.

In Hebrews 13:5 you will see that the Lord declares that He will never leave us or forsake us.  That is a good truth to cling to.

Life will always bring challenges and struggles. Change is a guarantee. There might be dark seasons in your life when challenges seem insurmountable. None of that should matter when you take into account who is holding you in His arms every step of the way.

The One who made the Heavens and the Earth cares deeply about you and your every need. He has you in the palm of His hand.

My 3-month old taught me a valuable lesson this week. No longer can I let situations around me dictate my emotions. It brought 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 to light:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Let me challenge you this week to also look to what is unseen – keep your eyes affixed on Him who is carrying you.

Question: What do you do to maintain your focus on Him despite the situations around you?