In God's Hands - Christianity.Com Devotion

This one reminded me of you, Lauren! ;-)

Tracie Miles <http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dbzcgygccb_esmrtmnmmzt.html>

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 56:3 (NIV)

Devotion:
As I aroused from sleep, my first thought was, "Uggg. It is going to becold outside." But to be honest, my anxiety wasn't so much about thecold mountain weather, but about my teenage daughter's safety that day.

We had been planning the trip for weeks and the girls were so excitedthat their snowboarding day had finally arrived. The wind was cold andthe snow was slippery, but the sun was shining, the mountains werebeautiful, and the enthusiasm of three teenage girls outweighed theirshivers. We had arranged for them to take a one-hour snowboarding lessonthat morning, as this was their first time on the slopes. Once we gotthem bundled up in their coats, scarves and protective gear, we partedways as they walked off with the rest of the group to begin their lesson.

Suddenly, I felt this little rush of panic come over me. It was afamiliar feeling, because for the past 15 years I have mastered the artof worrying about the safety of my children. When there is even the mostremote possibility one of them could be hurt, my mind floods with irrational thoughts about what could happen in the worst of circumstances.

What if she has trouble getting onto the ski lift properly, and slipsand hits her head? What if she can't get off the lift quick enough atthe top of the mountain, and falls off and gets hurt? What if she fallsoff the lift seat while hoisted five stories up in the air? What if shegets too close to the edge of the slope and falls off the side of themountain? What if she gets separated from her friends and panics allalone? What if she breaks her arm/leg/neck? What if ...

As I said, irrational thoughts. Unwarranted panic.

Since I could not run up the ski slope after her, looking like a crazed,over-protective mother, I headed back to the lodge. There I found myselfpraying a simple prayer something like this: Oh, Lord, I cannot be withher today. I cannot protect her. I cannot watch after her. She will beout of my sight, at the top of a mountain, far from my reach. Only Youcan see her. Only You can protect her now. Please keep her safe.Instantly I felt God's reassurance, and heard Him quietly speak to myheart, "Put her in My arms Tracie. Entrust her to Me."

Although I secretly preferred to hold her in my own arms and keep hersafe, just like when she was a little girl, I knew I had to entrust herfully to God -- just not on the ski slope, but every day of her life. I am a mere human, but God is a sovereign and powerful God. Any physical protection I could offer her pales in comparison to the spiritual protection given from our Savior.

As each of my children grow and live, I know they will face new dangers.Peer pressure will be heavy, temptations will prowl, people will hurttheir feelings, dangers may cross their path and life may be hard. Ourmodern culture will cause them to face challenges and decisions that Idid not have to deal with as a child. My comfort must come frombelieving that they will be in God's hands, and that He will always bewith them, no matter where they go. Not just on the top of a mountain,but every minute of every day in every circumstance.

Do you know that the word "children" appears over 450 times in the Bible? Our children matter to God, and He loves them, even more than welove them. Being a parent allows us a window to see God's amazingperspective of that love.

Dear Lord, forgive me for forgetting how much You love my children andthat You are always with them. Thank You for surrounding us with Yourangels. In Jesus' Name, Amen.