I sure can’t do it by myself!
I had to laugh when I ran across this picture of my 3-year-old daughter plugging in our electric bale elevator, and sending a two foot stuffed snoopy up into the hayloft to her 5-year-old sister. Her sister then threw it down and said, “Do it again!” I can laugh now, but at the time, I was terrified to find them playing with something so dangerous it has been the cause many farm accidents. The horror stories I could relate due to bale elevators, gear boxes and electrical shock, sends shivers up my spine even years after this happened.
We had spent the whole day before putting the straw we baled up into the hayloft. My two oldest boys were helping my husband and me with the labor intensive task. We still had one wagon to do the next day so everything was left in place from the day before. What do you suppose inspires children to do the things they do? I could write books on the antics of my six children. I am so thankful that my children were not hurt doing this particular shenanigan. My daily prayers for their protection have been answered, and my evening prayers of thankfulness have always been heartfelt.
Does this mean nothing bad will ever happen to your children? Of course not, the devil is still roaming the earth searching whom he may devour. We can protect our children the best we can but will never be able to keep them from getting hurt. Even if they are walking right next to us, they could trip and fall. Does that mean it was my fault? NO, but I will pick them up and help them stand, kiss their tears away, and put medicine on their wounds so they will heal. When you think about it, it is the same thing God does for us. He picks us up when we fall, helps us stand, dries our tears, and heals our wounds, but he never is the cause of our misfortune.
As parents it is our job to keep our children safe. In today’s society it is harder than ever, due to predators on social media and things like cyber bullying. The wounds of our children may not be as superficial as they may have been when we were growing up. Some may be hidden deep within them, and we have to be ever vigilant to keep that from happening. There is power in prayer, and it is one tool I use on a daily basis regardless of the age of my children, and I have extended my prayers to include my Grandkids!
We as authors like to write about things we fantasize about, like guardian angels, fairies and sprites. But the truth be told, God promises his protection and guidance, not that of angels. The 23rd Psalms tells us just how he does all that. Given the choice, I take God over an angel any day!
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
Psalms 16:1
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10
Psalms 23:1-6