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
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.