Protection

It was dark, oppressive. The woods made eerie sounds, sounds I didn't remember hearing in the light of day. My flashlight shook, and I nervously laughed a little, trying to keep the fear out of my voice: "I can't believe how dark it is!" My cousin laughed too, her eyes never leaving the woods beside her. A few of us had decided to go on a night walk around our grandparents' lake, on a two-track road. So, with flashlights in hand, and courage in our hearts, we had confidently started out. That was fifteen minutes ago. Now, almost halfway around, our courage was fading fast.

A crash sounded in the woods. All of our flashlights swung in the direction of the noise. I was scared. What in the world was THAT? I wondered. Wordlessly we huddled together, pointing our flashlights all around us. The first half of the lake road was pure darkness. There were no houses on this side. The second half was more populated, and they had outdoor lights. We just had to hang on a little bit longer.

Shaking a little, I peered into the trees beside me. I thought I could faintly hear footsteps in the leaves... and then CRASH! I jumped, and we took off running. The woods came alive behind us. We all ran screaming, trying to outrun who-knows-what. My cousin dropped her flashlight, and without thinking I stopped and turned to retrieve it, and saw my brother had stopped as well. We were standing directly under a light; we had made it to safety. But the thing in the woods was still coming. I panicked... do I run? Hide? Stay beside my brother, hoping we both can ward off this mysterious scariness? I didn't have time to make up my mind. The footsteps stopped, and two familiar faces stepped into the light. "Uncle Jeff? Charity?? It was YOU???" I was so shocked, and so relieved! I was absolutely sure it was something scary and sinister that it took a minute to register. I shook my head and laughed. They got us good.

Thankfully, that type of fear ended on a good note. We put ourselves in a situation to be scared, on purpose. However, when it comes to real fear, we have Someone who will stand up and protect us, no matter what the situation is. God wants our lives to be lived joyfully; He wants us to dream and hope. No fear, whether big or small, is too much for Him to handle. Let go. Just breathe, and let Him handle the rest. He created the world, He created you and me. His love for us started before we were born, and will never end. We can depend on Him to protect us into eternity.

"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. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12