We’re on a dirt path that’s gently snaking through the woods. She’s running, carefree, a few paces ahead. Laughter is bubbling out of her making up for the dry creek bed nearby. There isn’t a solitary concern in her three-year-old mind of any lurking danger. Mom says to me, quiet, almost as a sigh, “I wish I could just be carefree like her. Nothing to worry about. Just laugh and play.” Me too, Mom. Me too.

And, I’ve thought about that moment over and over. Because, why can’t we have this freedom? This carefree joy? Almost every argument I make to justify my worry, my anxiety, my fear is gently refuted by my Jesus. Hang on a moment. Make a cup of tea (it’s an iced coconut mango for me this afternoon), sit in a cozy place, and feed your soul on Matthew 6.

Jesus, here, is telling us exactly how to have this childlike faith, this running carefree. There’s a quote from The Message Bible that I love.

“…careless in the care of God…” vs. 26

Just breathe that in for a while. I can be care-less because I am in God’s care. Jesus goes on to describe how God cares for the earth, and how He will take care of us.

“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions….you’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” Matthew 6:33 The Message

There was a curve coming up, a winding among the trees where I’d lose sight of her. I called out, “Don’t get too far ahead. Make sure you can always see Mommy.” She felt free to run ahead because of trust. Mommy was watching nearby, guiding the way, but allowing her rapturous joy. She was safe. But safe doesn’t always mean a lack of hardships or rough patches or skinned knees.

We’d emerged from the trees, barely. Soft, dirt path turned to hard, black asphalt. There was an accident. A stumble. A fall. A painfully scraped knee. A big “boo boo.” There was hurt-screams and loud wails. Carefree hurts sometimes. But, she wasn’t left alone. Her mother and grandmother ran to her, picked her up, held her close, cleaned the wound, and met her needs.

I can be care-free and care-less and joy-full because I can trust that my God is watching me. When I fall, He runs to me, rushing to tenderly meet my needs. Trust is there because of His proven love.

Days later my little girl is running carefree down the path again. Knee still scabbed, paces ahead, she looks back at me, “Coming, Mommy?” There’s hurt, but there’s an even greater trust. She runs knowing that I’m watching, and that if she falls, I will hold her in my arms. Carefree trust.