Trust Doesn’t Magically Happen

Written by Kendall Bergman

I am grateful to report that I’m feeling hopeful as we head to the end of Summer 2022. It has been hot, dry and long. I was speaking with my coach earlier today and began sharing how stuck I have felt this season. Over the past 3 months there have been several signposts pointing…actually leading me to this stuck-ness. It has only been in reflecting that I’ve been able to connect some dots.

The temperatures in Dallas, TX (where I live) began soaring into the 100’s in June. This carried on through July and the first part of August. Along with the high temperatures, the skies dried up and we’ve been in the midst of a drought. 

Throughout the increasingly longer (and hotter) days I tried to talk myself into staying positive, motivated and moving forward…around work, around relationships…all areas of my life. I would be on walks with my dogs…sweat dripping off every part of me, dogs panting by my side…I would attempt to lean in and accept the circumstances. All the while I was never able to fully quench my growing thirst.

Change in atmosphere was needed. I took my dogs to Austin in July to get them into some cool river water. What a joy that was! They were able to swim, dunk and laze in the cool moving river. They exhausted themselves. I was mesmerized by their exhaustion and delighted to live vicariously through them.

I attended a family reunion later in July and the house we stayed in had a swimming pool. I was only there for 2 days, but I spent a couple of hours in that pool each day. It’s like the water was seeping inside of me…cooling my core, soothing my body and calming my mind and heart.

Then last week…oh it was glorious. Rain came to Dallas for a visit. It wasn’t ready to stay long, but we had brief showers on Wednesday and then on Thursday we had the pleasure of experiencing a few hours of rain and thunder…clouds covered the sun and temperatures quickly went down. I was on a Zoom call with a friend when the downpour started that Thursday afternoon and she witnessed my eyes well up with tears. All I can say is that I was overwhelmed with gratitude and relief.

I share all of that to let you know that trust is required to not merely survive the difficult, desert seasons, but to find life and sustenance. Trust is a north star. It reminds us to remember. It comforts us in our present pain. It points to the season around the corner. 

You may recall that trust is my word for 2022. In all honesty this summer has tested the gift of trust. For a couple of months I forgot that trust was available to me. Trust in myself, trust in relationships, trust in cooler days to come, trust in the God who is in ultimate control of all of creation. Trust that we will be caught when we fall. Trust in the natural rhythms established by The Creator.

The days are getting shorter. I was looking at the weather report for the next two weeks…and there is a promise of rain and cooler temperatures. Trust…it’s like restorative rain for my soul. Trust doesn’t magically happen. Trust is a rhythm to be exercised. Trust reminds us that all is well and rest is available…no matter the season or circumstances. 

What are your thoughts, beliefs, ideas and practices around trust? I’d love to hear from you…email me at kendall@thediscoverywell.com.

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On Self-Forgetting

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Confessions of Procrastinator