In My Father's Arms

This morning Charlie and I took a walk out into our yard (where we don't have to wear masks, which are required in all other public places) and went to his favorite spot: the slide!

Don't let his face fool you! He was lovin' it!

His creativity delights me! And I was enjoying all the different ways he found to enjoy it (cars going down the slide are just as much fun as sliding yourself, especially when Nonnie picks them up and brings them back to you! 🤣).

But then, something disturbed our "beautiful day in the neighborhood" moment (I had literally just been singing the Mr. Roger's song to him about that!).

I don't know if you can see what I'm referring to...but it's a red "Hasiči" (fire engine) truck, driving on the nearby lane behind our house.

From it, over loudspeakers, they were driving slowly on the little road behind us, giving the new instructions about wearing face masks in public, and the new hours of grocery and pharmacy shopping that are available for only those 65+ (10:00 AM to noon each day...which were changed later on today and now are 7:00 AM - 9 AM).

They've driven around before giving messages...at least I think they have! But never with such an ominous tone. I feel like I'm living in a movie, one that if it were just a movie, I'd be glad to walk out of the theatre and realize that it's not real.

Except it is.

Charlie wanted to know what they were saying, and I very briefly said they were giving instructions about how to stay safe. But somehow, it spooked him, even though he doesn't understand Czech, and I tried to not make a big deal about it.

Later, his mom told him that we are safe, and those concrete words were more comforting. I'm learning from she and Caleb about how to help him through this time when he thought he was going to go home to Albania - he misses his home and friends there.

As we end another day of restrictions and quarantine, I'm again thinking of how the Lord wants me to process this.

I'm actually not afraid. And so much of Scripture is especially comforting these days!

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

Psalm 20:7

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us --

so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations."

Ps 67:1-2

"... call on my in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will honor me."

Psalm 50:15

And don't you know, from God's perspective, He looks like this, and you and I look like Jenna!!

We're safe; we're delighted in; we're held; we're tucked in his hands; we're off the ground while he's the one moving to and fro, taking care of everything and everyone.

When the world is in chaos there is only one place I want to be: in the refuge of my awesome, strong, loving Father's arms, in the shadow of his wings, seeing light as He sees light!

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house;

you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.

Psalm 36:7-9