Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
As a praying momma, protection is a word that comes up daily in my conversations with the Lord. Many, many times, I wished I could just put my boys in a bubble so they would never be harmed. In one of my other blogs, titled “Letting Boys Be Boys”, I wrote on the importance of not being an overprotective mom in their childhood years. Our “helicopter mom” syndrome can place fear and hesitation into our children that can be so devastating for their true destiny in life. Understanding the importance of “what not to do”, I shifted to the mindset of what I should do…pray!
Because we live in a fallen world, we just are not exempt from different pains in life. Things still happen. Playing contact sports will give them many opportunities for boo-boos, but I have learned to keep praying and be grateful after every game without injuries. I also have learned to be grateful for when there are only minor injuries. Through the years my boys have had many sprains and strains, a few concussions, some broken bones, and many scrapes and bruises. However, I have learned to choose to stay grateful. You see, these are all things that heal; nothing life altering. I am very quick to thank Him for no major harm coming upon my children. Perspective is everything!
When my older brother, Keven, was in high school, he was an amazing football player. He loved the sport! He worked hard and played hard. My mom was always concerned about his safety while playing ball so fiercely. He had great dreams to play at the next level and he probably would have if he wasn’t paralyzed from the waist down in a tragic car accident the summer before his senior year. Keven never played ball again, but he was alive! We are so grateful that his life was not taken that night when he was thrown out of his truck as it was flipping over and over. Even something as tragic as that, we still should see it as minor compared to the death itself. He is such a wonderful man with such an appreciation for life. He is an incredible uncle, one of my boys’ biggest fans, and is such a testimony for anyone paying attention.
Yes, those were difficult times for our family watching my brother’s life change drastically, but it gave us the perspective to celebrate through something even as devastating as that; the joy of life. We never know when or where something may happen, but we still have to trust in the Lord and know He is our refuge.
Praying protection over our children has always been a daily discipline. One of the things I believe satan likes to tempt parents with most is the concern of various types of harm coming to our kids. Not only does the enemy attempt to bring fear of harm, but the fact that we live in a fallen world also offers a variety of dangers. These thoughts can truly be tormenting to a parent; especially a momma. The possibility of broken hearts, broken bones, embarrassments, hurt feelings, and any other bodily harm that is possible, can weigh heavy on us unless we trust in God. After all, our children are His anyway. God wants the best for our boys, more than even we do…which is so hard to imagine, but its’ true!
Psalm 5:11, the Bible says, “spread your protection over them, and those who love your name may rejoice in you.” He allows us to call on Him for protection as we trust in His word. So, those that rejoice in Him and love His name have his protection. Rest in confidence that our children are safe, not because the absence of danger, but because of the presence of God.
