Strong Tower

This morning it was just me and Isabella eating breakfast and playing (we like to let Mommy sleep in whenever we can, plus it's great daddy/daughter time that I utterly cherish).  Anyway, I took a break from playing to get my second cup of coffee for the day and I noticed that normal play sounds had stopped coming from the living room.  After almost two years with a little girl in the house, the silence was deafening.  And if you don't have kids, then learn from me - silence usually means something bad is going on in the other room!

So I finished pouring my cup of coffee and I went to look around the corner into the living room, fully expecting that I would discover any number of crazy scenarios, and the first thing I saw was Isabella sitting in her little rocking chair with a blanket pulled up close to her.  Now, I know we have a good kid and all, but even for her that was a little out of the ordinary and so I started looking around to find the trouble she was trying to avoid by sitting in the chair.  I know that sounds pessimistic, but kids change your perspective on things.  While I'm glancing around the living room (which she has not messed up at all, by the way) Isabella simply points to the floor in front of her and says, "Bug."  Now I thought she said, "Ball" so I went looking for the tennis ball we had been playing with and when I turn around after finding it, I see movement on the floor.  Sure enough, a little spider was crawling across the floor and Isabella was trying to tell me that it was there and I missed it.

Here's what struck me about the whole situation.  She didn't cry.  She didn't scream.  She didn't come running in to find me and tell me about it.  I would say she wasn't scared, but I don't think that's the case. I think she was scared.  When I came around the corner, I saw concern on her face, worry even.

BUT, she knew I was coming.
She knew I would take care of it.
She knew I would protect her.

And so she waited.  Yes, with a bit of concern and worry for the outcome of the situation.  Yes, with a little bit of fear.  But she waited for me to come because she knew without a doubt that I was coming and I had her safety in mind.

Isn't that how our relationship with God should be?  I know things get us worried and concerned and fearful.  I know things in our lives don't always turn out the way we have envisioned.  I know sometimes the future is uncertain and we don't know exactly what to expect around the next corner.

BUT, I know God is coming.
I know He will take care of it.
I know He will protect me.

The whole scene reminds me of these verses in Psalm 46 (1-3, 7, & 10):

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling...The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress...Be still, and know that I am God."

And so I wait.  Yes, sometimes there is concern or worry or fear for the outcome of a situation.  But I have no doubt in my mind that God is coming - in fact, He never left! - and He has my best interests at heart.  Trust Him.  He knows far better than we ever will.

I gotta run - she's gotten quiet again...