The Heart Squeeze

What I stand to lose:

A homeschool site that I receive fb feeds from mentioned

this tragedy yesterday

and asked everyone to pray for this family.

As I read this very brief post, my heart began constricting within me.

Being a mother is terrifying....because we know how much we stand to lose.

This little boy was almost Justus' age and they look a lot alike.

I don't know how this little boy's life ended,

but I do know how I would feel if I was in this Mama's shoes.

Fear threatens to swallow me whole as I think about

the many times a day I catch my kids doing dangerous things

or the many way they could get hurt or killed.

I begin to think that I need to do more to protect them, supervise them

at every second, burden myself with the task of ensuring that they live.

But I know that I can't.

I must sleep.  I must let them experience life.

Not being able to keep them 100% safe and

not being able to guarantee that my children will outlive me is terrifying...

...until I remember God.

He is sovereign, He is love, and He can be trusted to do what is best for me.

He loves these little ones more than I do. 

He created them, He cares for them,

and He has a plan for their lives.

Even in the deepest pain, He is still in control, and working all things for good for His children.

There is no grace for the imagination...

...the terrors that can rob us of joy in the present living.

But there is grace for real life, each and every day,

and the circumstances God allows to come my way.

Today you'll find me praying relentlessly for Dana and her family.