Protectors

I have two sisters: an older and a younger. And yes, I am the maladjusted one in the middle! My Dad was an only child. He felt some of the loneliness that can come with that, so he couldn’t understand why his three girls would pick on each other and fight at times. He used to say to us: “Friends will come and go, but you will always have each other. It’s the three of you against the world!” And he was right. I’ve been blessed with two children and used to say the same thing to them. They’re both in their late twenties and are still very close which is such a blessing.

If you read my last blog (The Agony and the Ecstasy) then you know we just welcomed our second granddaughter, Cassidy, into the world! Her big twenty-one month old sister, Lily, is doing really well in the transition. When we took her to the hospital to meet her baby sister, she was a little unsure, although very gentle. But Lily’s protective instincts for Cassidy were evident right from the start.

The day Cassidy was born, she was always in someone's arms. Later in the evening, the nurse came in to check her so she had to be put in the bassinet. I was sitting not too far from it and Lily was on my lap. When the nurse started listening to Cassidy's heart, Lily said, "No, No. No, No." I didn't understand why at first, then realized she was trying to protect her baby sister because she thought the nurse was hurting her. I brought her closer to the bassinet and explained that she was actually taking care of Cassidy. We watched for a few moments then sat back down. After the nurse finished, she realized Cassidy had a dirty diaper. As she was changing it, Cassidy started crying and Lily once again said, "No, No. No, No." Such a precious response.

Throughout our lives, we have protectors. Beginning with our parents and siblings, then expanding to other family members, teachers, doctors, pastors, our spouse…. But there is One who has and will always watch over us. The God of the universe Who created, sustains, and continually cares for us. Take a look at portions of Psalm 91…

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. … 14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." (NIV)

What a blessing to know that our Almighty God is our ultimate protector!

Just something I’m grateful for along the way.