The Oldest Trick in the Book

Psychologists and social scientists talk about the importance of constant, positive reinforcement for children. It creates safety and builds trust for the child with its caregivers.

From the time I was a little girl, one of the most consistent messages from my mom was that I could tell her and my dad anything. I heard it many times in different ways over the years.Patty, you can tell dad and me anything. You don’t have to hide anything from us. Nothing is too big for dad and I. We could never stop loving you.

I took them at their word on this and over the years, I went to my mom with lots of different things. Even as an adult, I still know she is one of the safest people to go to with anything. 

That muscle was strengthened over the years through continual, positive reinforcement. There are still times at 40 years old I reach out to my mom for her insight and perspective when I feel lost in life.

As I sit with the words from today’s first reading, I imagine God having that same positive reinforcement mindset with Adam and Eve.You can tell me anything. I love you so much. You will never have to strive or prove or hide from me. I created and loved you exactly as you are.

As God walked in the cool of the garden with Adam and Eve, I imagine similar words being spoken over them, creating safety, connection, and trust.

And despite that, we encounter the oldest trick in the book that Satan has to use on us, doubt and distrust. A cunning whisper, just loud enough to disrupt Eve’s heart: Did God really say not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?

What that translates to is: You can’t trust God. God is holding back from you, so you have to take and grab for yourself. God won’t keep promises. God won’t provide for you. The unweaving of the relationship begins to come apart at the seams, leaving both Eve and Adam flailing and blaming each other to deal with their embarrassment and shame. 

I often wonder if this lack of trust towards God is one of the hardest things for us as human beings. Our own self-sufficiency and “trying to do it on our own,” ends up hurting more than we realize.

Lent is a penitential season in the liturgical year. People are commonly giving up things like alcohol or social media. While there is nothing wrong with that, maybe this Lent could be a new opportunity to rebuild the lack of trust we might feel towards God sometimes. The heartfelt prayers of trust and surrender for me are often the most difficult ones. It forces me to get out of the way and trust God’s provision over me in my life, remembering that God is trustworthy and will take care of me.

The story of Adam and Eve really isn’t about the fruit or who blamed who first. It is a reminder of what happens when we listen to and engage with the lies about who God is. It plants seeds of distrust, disrupting the solid ground of a trusted relationship.

Maybe this Lent is not so much about what you give up but rather how your trust in Jesus grows.

Today's Readings

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