Trust and the County Fair

Last week marked the 100th annual San Juan County Fair. I think for many people in Friday Harbor it is one of the highlights of the summer. I always enjoy meeting people at the fair, reconnecting and sharing in the joy of being there amongst all the excitement.

I really think you can taste the flavor of any region of the country by going to a County Fair. The flavor I tasted here is one of community, creativity, stewardship, and fun! At the 4H exhibits of animals and projects, I got the sense of responsibility being nutured in young people by caring adults. Hmmm! So many good flavors to taste this past week; I wish I could include them all.


In watching the carnival rides and the men working to fix them I sensed a need to TRUST. Honestly, some of those rides looked like they could come apart with a few good shakes, spins,
twists and turns. Whoa! Yet, children and parents trusted in the rusty machines, loose bolts and all, to give the thrill ride anticipated and return everyone to a safe stop. Whoa! Now that is TRUST!

How is it that we can TRUST old carnival machines with aging hydrolics and rusty nuts and bolts with our lives, not to mention our childrens lives, and not TRUST God with our lives? This is a mystery to me. Why can't we TRUST the Creator of the universe with our day to day lives? What is it about me, about us? Could it be true that our natural bent is rebellion towards God? The more I see the more I know that this is true. Your thoughts?