For most of my youngest daughter’s life, the devil tormented me with fear that he would take her. It didn’t help that she would disappear, in a matter of seconds; many times, throughout the years. I couldn’t take her shopping and let go of her hand (long enough to look at a price tag) without her being gone, every time! And many a times, I couldn’t even stand up straight for the stomach pain, once past exhaustion, and her still not appearing. Through those years, I quoted scripture to the fullest extent possible, if my mind could focus to think of any at all; gradually getting stronger and stronger against that fear. She was even in an automobile accident wherein I was her caretaker for a couple of those years.
And if that weren’t enough, she was also so tiny, dainty, and fragile looking, she always left me with this feeling that she needed protected – as if she’d otherwise break. And so I did, not suffocating but always watching for her welfare.
But one day, seemingly healthy and safe as a teenager, she was in the kitchen and dished herself out a bowl of broccoli casserole I had just made. Then, unexpectedly, she said, “What is that in my mouth!?” She spit it out in her hand and walked over to the sink, where there was also more light, and she said, “It’s glass.” Apparently, the casserole bowl lid had gotten chipped.
Then, rather pointedly, God said, “See, I’m the only one who can protect her all the time.” And with that bit of truth, fear has had no open door to return.
Sometimes, we forget that God loves our children even more than we do.
© 2007 by Joyce C. Lock inspirations@insightbb.com