The Lord will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8
It happened almost 14 years ago, but I remember it as if it were yesterday.
She was 13 months old and finally ready to take her first steps.
I was on the couch, reading, while she played with books on the bottom shelf of the bookcase. From the corner of my eye, I saw a swift movement, and held my breath while watching her get a hold of the ladder and pull herself up.
Ever so slowly, I put my book down and silently moved a little closer to the area where my little explorer stood.
She turned around and opened her mouth, in a triumphant smile. Looking at me, she stretched her arms and rehearsed her very first steps. One, two, three… and fell into my arms.
I picked her up and danced around, squealing in delight. My baby girl was walking!
I called hubby, mom, dad, best friend, and the Washington Post.
Baby walked! What a joy!
Even as I type these words, a smile spreads across my face. Some of my favorite memories rest on the days when my two girls started exploring the world.
But those were also the days when I never rested. I seemed to be always on alert, following their every step. As they ventured into their brand-new world of mobility, there were dangers everywhere.
It was that marble table in the middle of the library, where I’d envision my baby falling, head-first.
Or that doll in the middle of the floor, waiting for a stumble-and-fall moment.
Or those dreaded stairs, secured by a portable gate – the one that came loose in my nightmares, sending her down the steps.
Oh, my.
During those toddler years, I walked around, half-doing my chores, carefully ensuring that my girls were safe in their wanderings.
There were times I ran to their rescue and they didn’t even know it. They went on enjoying their day, oblivious to the fact that mom had just prevented an accident.
And then there were times when I moved or removed things from their paths that they so wanted to handle, and yet, I knew it would harm them…
Pointy objects that would prick their skins.
Mean friends that were not invited for a second play date.
As I watched my toddlers become children, and my children become teenagers, the story has not changed much. I’ve had to say no to several things they wish they could do, or get a hold of.
In their eagerness to experience the world or be like everyone else, as a good parent, I have had to protect them from themselves… and from unseen dangers. Most of the time, they don’t understand it. They want something so bad, that it pains them when I keep it from their hand.
They don’t understand protective love. And probably won’t, until they themselves become mothers.
It’s the kind of Love that God has for us. Only on a much smaller scale.
A love that protects, even when we don’t see it.
We sing about the mountains He moves when he heals, restores and provides.
But what about the mountains that He moves and we don’t even know it? Click To TweetHave you ever thought about that?
How many times do we become angry when something is removed from our lives. It could be a job, a person, or a possession. Like moody teenagers, we close the door of our heart and pitch an internal fit when it happens.
Some of us secretly think Him to be a mean Daddy.
How could you remove so-and-so from my life, Father?
Why don’t you give me “X”?
What we don’t realize, is that, in His eternal covenant of protection, God is often not only moving or withholding that person, or that possession. He is also removing something that would become a mountain on our way.
Or a stumbling block on our path.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. Isaiah 40:27-28 (Emphasis mine)
As children start exploring the world, good parents see ahead, and remove any obstacles that could cause them unnecessary pain. Some of those things we remove, would bring them temporary pleasure and joy, only to end up in disaster and pain.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11
Our good and eternally protective God (Psalm 121:7-8,) moves mountains that our eyes cannot even see yet.
That’s why Isaiah reminds us to trust His inscrutable understanding.
He knows our ways. He knows our weaknesses.
He knows exactly where we will stumble, and fall away from His loving arms.
Don’t fight Him.
If God removes a pebble, even one that is precious to you, trust me – it’s because it would certainly become a mountain on your way.
Such a sweet post! I’m 19 & definitely not a mom yet, but I love your use of scripture and the way you talk about God always watching out for you and your kids! So sweet 🙂
Thank you, Kristen! So glad you read my stuff! You are wise to keep Scriptures front in your heart! It will guide you when you do become a mom. You’ll need it, believe me 🙂
Thanks for commenting! Blessings to you!
Thank you for this reminder that God’s always got our back(and front too). Loved how you used your experience with your kids to show this.
Thank you, Chioma! Appreciate your encouragement. Our kids do give us lots to write about 🙂 Blessings,
For a second there I thought you were going to share how you were well intentioned in your protection but it failed because it was based on your limited knowledge and how God is not like this at all. He knows what he is doing all the time.
There are some things as I parent that I can’t protect my children from – I have limited capacity, but I can entrust them and myself to Him for perfect protection.
I kind of flipped your post on its head but that’s how my mind works.
Great post.
I love your analogy as well! 🙂 Thanks, Nylse!!
Blessings,
Amen
Beautifully written ,Patricia. I am a mama of toddlers and a very protective one. But thank you for the reminder that God is the Ultimate Protector and He removes a lot of things from our life so that they do not end up becoming a mountain in our lives.
God bless
Diana
Thank you, Diana! Enjoy those toddler years… they go by way to fast! Blessings, sister!
God’s got this! He’s doing things in our lives that we don’t even know about!
Amen, Andrea! God bless!
“A love that protects, even when we don’t see it.” I can testify to this in so many ways, Patricia. I’m so thankful that our good heavenly Father always gives us what we need, even when we think we need something else! Glad to be your neighbor at the RaRaLinkup this week.
Amen, Louis! So glad you stopped by. Please come back and LINKUP today. We have a fairly new linkup called #Recharge! God bless you!
Such a tremendous analogy, Patricia, of the love of parents for children and the love of God for us. I certainly can remember those days with my own two, and how today, I do the same with my grand-girls.
God does protect, and He does move those mountains we cannot see.
I am writing a series of posts on my blog right now that attest to His presence, His mercy and His great love that were shown to my husband, Danny, and me during a recent ordeal we went through. I do hope you have time to visit: https://marthaorlando.blogspot.com.
Blessings!
That is awesome, Martha! I will check it out. Please come and linkup with us today at #Reacharge LINKUP! We would love to have you!
Sometimes my children and I look back at events of their time as children and how they didn’t understand then why I forbid them to do certain things but now as adults they understand. It’s the same way with me and God, I don’t understand everything at the time it’s happening but later on as I reflect I’m like “ok, that’s why that happened and thank you so much God for protecting me.” God Bless!
Amen, Yolanda. It’s how that song says: “You are a good, good Father!” He is, always! Blessings to you!
What a beautifully written post, Patricia! I’m glad I stopped by today from the #tellhisstory linkup.
Thank you, Sarah! I hope you can come linkup with us today! Our own linkup is up and running! https://soaringwithhim.com/2017/04/three-paths-to-patience-rechargewednesday-linkup-with-david-miller/
Oh, I am so grateful for those pebbles He removes! I may not love it at the time, but this perspective you gave changes my heart! Thank you!
Praise be to God, Becky. Thank you for taking the time to share. Blessings!
I don’t think I have ever put these together like this!
Thank You, Jesus, for the ways You have protected me!