God Never Breaks His Promises

I met San Khin the day I started serving with Refugee Resources in June 2021. However, that was over a year before I became his mentor. He had another mentor and I had another student, but we were both showing up to Reading Circle on Tuesdays, occasionally in the same walking groups at the end of the night. Over that year there were two main things I learned about San: he was very quiet and he loved basketball. So when we got paired up in September of this year, I was determined to get him to open up. I was prepared to rattle off comments about Steph Curry’s jumper and give my hot takes in the Lebron vs MJ debate. I’ve learned an important lesson this fall: trust is earned, and it can take time.

After weeks of continuing to show up, he did start to open up. What could have felt like weeks of mundane consistency were actually building a foundation of trust in a child whose life story looks entirely different than mine. And I have learned so much more about San in this time. He is still quiet and reserved, but it is a quietness that is rooted in confidence. He maintains a steadiness that is self-assured enough to not be the loudest in the room. San is also mature beyond his years. While his peers engage in child-like shenanigans, he prefers to sit back and shake his head with a smile on his face. San is extremely close to his older brother, whom he looks up to and loves to watch basketball and play video games with. While he does love basketball, he is especially passionate about soccer. He plays midfield for the A-team at his school, which allows him to utilize his versatile skill set which combines defensive tenacity with a knack for putting the ball in the back of the net. He is also excelling in his reading comprehension and math skills!

I have so many memories during my time serving at Reading Circle. Moments of growth and triumph in a student’s reading ability. Vulnerable conversations that reveal a newfound trust. Hearing a student repeat a horrific, profanity-filled phrase he had heard at school and didn’t understand (teaching moment!). But none has been more impactful than this recent experience:

Just last month, I hurried into Reading Circle several minutes late, sitting down with San and two others for our Bible study. While I may have been sitting there, forcing a smile on my face, my attention was elsewhere. Half of my mind still scrambling from the work day, already stressing about tomorrow. The other half full of insecurity and feelings of inadequacy, wondering if I really have anything to offer these students. A fellow mentor led our group through the story of Noah and the flood. We discussed the ensuing rainbow, God’s symbol of his covenant to never again flood the earth. It was at that moment a student at our table blurted out, “GOD NEVER BREAKS HIS PROMISES!” While the words may have squeaked out from the high-pitch voice of a student who’d been smashing markers into the table five minutes prior, they shook me to the core.

God never breaks his promises. God took the words of a child and immediately reframed all my feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. It was a simple truth, but one I needed in the moment, and so often need. It is not about me. It is not about us. In an instant I was freed from my own anxiousness, replaced by a peace that accompanies the trust that we have a faithful father whose power is made perfect in our weakness1.

We show up with mostly good intentions and maybe a college degree or two to help run a program designed by education experts. So it is understandable that we may sometimes trick ourselves into thinking growth and life change amongst our students depends on our competency. The words spoken by this student is a powerful reminder that God alone is in control.

Not only is He in control, but He is also in pursuit! I desire to love and serve San each week. I want him to grow in his understanding of Christ’s love for him as well as his reading skills. But my desires for San pale in comparison to God’s desires for him. God is pursuing him2. God knows what San’s future holds3. God loves him with an unending4, perfect love5. He promises that it is true. And, God never breaks his promises.

His faithfulness is an incredible grace to us and is a reason to be grateful as we head towards Thanksgiving. No matter what season we are in, God’s promises are where we find life. He promises to heal the brokenhearted6, to renew our strength7, to give us joy8, to give us peace9. He promises that He will draw near10, that He will protect us11, that He will sanctify us12. He promises that he will never leave us or forsake us13. Psalm 145:13 says “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” In other words, God never breaks his promises.

1. 2 Corinthians 12:9

2. Psalm 139:7-8

3. Jeremiah 29:11

4. Psalm 136:26

5. 1 John 4:18

6. Psalm 147:3

7. Isaiah 40:30

8. John 15:11

9. Philippians 4:6-7

10. James 4:8

11. Psalm 121:7-8

12. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24