Under the shade of an old oak tree, little Soteria sat cross-legged, carefully stacking smooth pebbles on top of each other. Her father, Daniel, was nearby, fixing a broken fence at the edge of their small yard. It was an ordinary day, but for Soteria, it was magical because her dad was there.
“Papa,” she called out, holding a pebble tightly. “Do you think I can build a tower taller than me?”
Daniel looked up from his work, his hands covered in dirt, and smiled. “Of course, Soteria. You can do anything if you keep at it.”
Her eyes sparkled with determination. She began stacking the stones again, carefully balancing each one. Her hands trembled as the tower grew taller, but she never wavered. She believed everything Papa said.
Later that evening, storm clouds rolled in. The wind howled, and rain began to lash against the windows. Soteria clutched her stuffed bunny tightly, her small body trembling. “Papa,” she whispered as she ran to find him in the living room.
Daniel was standing by the window, watching the storm. He lifted her up as soon as she reached him. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“The storm,” Soteria stammered, burying her face in his chest. “What if the wind takes our house away?”
Daniel chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her. “The storm can’t take us, Soteria. I’m here, and I’ll keep you safe.”
“But how can you stop the wind?” she asked, her wide eyes searching his face.
“I don’t need to stop it,” he replied gently. “I just need to hold you, and that’s enough to keep everything okay.”
Soteria nodded, her fear melting away. If Papa said it would be fine, she knew it would be. She trusted him completely.
The next morning, the storm was gone, leaving the world fresh and sparkling. Soteria ran outside to check her pebble tower. The wind had knocked it down, scattering stones across the yard. She felt a pang of sadness but then heard her father’s voice.
“You can rebuild it,” Daniel said, kneeling beside her. “Sometimes things fall apart, but that doesn’t mean we give up.”
Soteria looked up at him, her faith unwavering. “Okay, Papa. I’ll try again.
As they worked together to rebuild the tower, Soteria realized something: her father’s strength wasn’t just in his hands. It was in his steady reassurance, and the way he made her feel brave. No matter how strong the storm, she knew her Papa would always be there, and that was all the faith she needed.
In this story, Daniel represents God, while Soteria represents you and me.
God desires us to trust Him with the faith of a child. Just as Daniel consistently reassures Soteria of the potential within her, God continually reassures us through His Word.
One of the most comforting aspects of this story is how, even in the midst of Soteria’s struggles, Daniel never left her. Even when it looks as though he was not physically present, he was watching from the window, ready to extend his arm and provide a safe place for her to run to.
In the same way, God is always with us and ready to rebuild everything that the storms of life have taken from us, but He seeks our partnership in the process.
Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Will you choose to trust God today, just as Soteria trusted Daniel?
Thank you for reading.
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