Billy Strayhorn tells about a nature show he once saw about black bears. A particular cub had been orphaned and later adopted by a new mama bear. At some point the two became separated, and the cub began to cry, wandering about and looking everywhere for his new mother. Then, just as he approached a stream, he looked up to see a mountain lion ready to pounce.

The camera zoomed in on the cub as he did what bears do when threatened — he stood on his hind legs and bared his teeth. He let loose a growl that should have shaken the trees. But only a tiny bear cub squeak came out. Just when it seemed the mountain lion was ready to have the cub for lunch, the big cat lowered his head and ran off in the opposite direction.

The camera panned back to the proud little cub, still standing tall on his hind legs. And then the viewers were able to see what the cub could not see: a few yards behind him, at full ferocious height, sharp white teeth bared in a snarl, stood mama bear. She hadn't even made a sound. But she was there.

Strayhorn reflects, "Even though the cub couldn't see his mother, she stood guard, protecting her young. The little cub had power available to him greater than anything he could produce on his own. There was a greater power watching over him."

The cub didn't know mama bear was there. He only knew he was afraid — and that somehow, in that moment, it was enough to stand his ground. That is sometimes how faith works. We don't always feel the presence of God behind us. We don't always see what is standing guard. But we are invited to stand anyway — and trust that we are not as alone as we feel.

You are not facing what you are facing alone. There is a greater power standing behind you — closer than you know, and bigger than whatever it is in front of you.

Prayer: Loving God, in those anxious, fearful moments, help us turn to you. Remind us to draw our strength, courage, and wisdom from you. Grant us the ability to trust. Ultimately we rest in your hands. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

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