I live way up high in the mountains. Some of them are over 14,000 feet tall! My favorite one, the one I see out my window, looks like an elephant. I even gave it a name: “Ellie.”

I love that mountain. It never moves. Never leaves me. Even when it gets covered over with bright yellow fall leaves or deep winter snow, it stays the same mountain—always.

My mountain reminds me of God. God never changes. Never leaves us. Is always Love. And God is forever good. 

Here’s something else that never changes: We can feel God’s presence with us no matter what. God’s presence can feel like a mother’s hug or a father’s protecting arms. It can feel like guidance, too. If we don’t know what to do, God is right there giving us the exact ideas we need for the very next step. We can hear God’s answers even in the toughest times. His care for us is always there, no matter what.  

When I was in fourth grade, I had an opportunity to put this idea into practice. My mom had a church job on Sunday and had to be at church early. So she took one car, and my brother and sister and I went with my dad in the other car. 

One Sunday after church, I stayed to talk to my Sunday School teacher. I didn’t notice how empty the Sunday School and church were getting. When I went outside, there were no cars in the parking lot. And the parking lot around the corner was totally empty, too. Both my parents had left—without me!

Because I had just had a wonderful Sunday School class and a special talk with my teacher, I didn’t panic. I stayed calm and listened for ideas. Should I try walking home? “No,” came the answer. Should I knock on a door and ask for help? “No,” came the answer. Both answers were very clear. I could tell that even though things around me felt uncertain, God was still right there. God’s guidance wouldn’t leave me.

Then the idea came very gently to just sit on the church steps and wait. I could use that time to see all the good that was going on around me. There were beautiful trees and flowers, warm sunshine, bikers, and happy families. 

I could stay filled with goodness and gratitude. I was grateful for my Sunday School and my teacher. I was grateful that I knew God and that He was always caring for me. God would never leave me. Never forget me or abandon me. I would always be right there with God. Hugged and safe.

Before I knew it, there was my dad in the car. He’d thought I’d gone home with my mom. And my mom had thought I’d gone home with my dad. Oops! I was very happy to see him as
I hopped into the car. 

I was also grateful I had been able to stay so calm, peaceful, and unafraid because I’d known that my forever Father-Mother God was right there with me. Just like God is always with you.