My dad marched me down to the neighbor’s home, knocked on the door, and told the father of the boy who had previously punched me in the gut without provocation that if anything like that ever happened again that man would be held responsible.
I’m so thankful that I have an earthly father who protected his family. I also realize that many people don’t have that blessing, but every child of our Heavenly Father can know His presence and protection in remarkable ways.
Recently guests from out of town arrived at our home so they could attend our daughter’s graduation and our other daughter’s wedding. Upon greeting them at the door it was disclosed that a few of them had been seriously ill during the trip and that numerous stops had been made at rest areas and gas stations to “use” the bathroom.
The first thought that ran through my head was, “So why are you in our home?” The next morning another member of the group got sick. I was upset and fearful that their illness would soon pass to us all forcing my wife and I to miss our daughter’s college graduation and her sister’s wedding.
Not accidentally, I read Psalm 55:12 that morning—“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” I did just that in prayer and said, “Father, please miraculously protect us from this ‘bug.’”
The next day I read Psalm 56:3-4 which states, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise. In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” I poured my heart out to the Lord telling Him how important it was that we be there to celebrate our daughter’s graduation and for me to walk my other daughter down the aisle. I put my trust in our heavenly Father’s sovereign control over all circumstances and in His supreme compassion as I reiterated my prayer for his protection.
I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for our heavenly Father’s goodness in protecting my wife, myself, and the rest of our family from that dreaded illness. We celebrated with both of our daughters in some of life’s most precious moments.
Our heavenly Father doesn’t guarantee our protection from any or all of life’s disasters, diseases, or disappointments, but He profoundly loves us. He will save His children from or sustain us through whatever comes our way for His grand and good purposes regardless of whether or not what happens makes sense to us (Romans 8:28-39).
Thanks, Dad!