The small boys on our crew became fascinated with watching ducks and fish flocking to the side of the pier searching for food. Other kids at the marina were throwing in table scraps, and they watched as the ducks raced to each piece as if magnetized by them. As we fully expected, the two older boys hurried through their dinner so that they could join the other kids. With a stern command to stay away from the edge of the pier, their Mom hesitantly let them go. After all, they were only a couple of feet away.

As we reminisced over the fun of the day, we looked up and saw the oldest of the boys walking back to us. "Where's your brother?" His mother asked almost frantically as she envisioned her five-year-old falling into the deep lake. Without waiting for an answer, she instinctively jumped from the table and rounded the corner. We could hear her sigh of relief when she saw that he was safely holding his Daddy's hand, watching the fish swimming below. She knew that everything was okay. His Dad had been right there beside him all along.

He's been there since the beginning and He always will be.

It was a simple occurrence, yet a profound visual reminder to me. Just the next day as I talked to a dear friend, I saw God's message. For weeks, we have helplessly watched as she and her family have experienced the deepest struggle of their lives. With all the cards and books and phone calls that we can possibly send them, we all still feel powerless. We fear that they feel alone.

God showed me what He longs for us to know. Through her deeply rooted faith and her hope in the Lord, I was reminded — and can easily see now — that our Heavenly Father is standing right beside her throughout her trials. He's been there since the beginning and He always will be, making sure that his precious child is safe and protected.

Our Father is in our past, wiping away our past mistakes. He's in our future, placing stepping-stones for our path. He's in our present, walking however slowly we might need to walk today ... holding our hand all the way. "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

 

Print this Article Send it to a Friend Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails and other non-commercial uses. Please see our Usage Guidelines for more information.	A Father I Never Had A Time to Be Born Take It to the Bank
	ALL of Heartlight        --- ARTICLES   A Taste of Home   Caring Touch   Diary of God   Hope for Life   Hope from the Hill Country   Just for Men   Just for Women   Leading in Hope   Love, Sex & Marriage   Making Life Work   Prayer for the Nation   Single...Not Alone   Special Features   Timely Truths   Together in His Grace   Two Minute Meditations        --- DEVOTIONALS   Charles Spurgeon   Daily Wisdom   My Utmost for His Highest   Praying with Paul   Quotemeal   Today's Verse   What Jesus Did

© 2004 Kelly Breece. From the Morning Cup Devotional, a weekly devotional for Christian women.

Title: "Safe With Dad"
Author: Kelly Breece
Publication Date: July 07, 2004

Look Great, Feel Great: 12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now by Joyce Meyer Joyce guides us to a healthier way of living, reminding us that turning every issue over to God gives us the strength to make lasting changes.

Kelly lives in Tennessee with her husband, Michael, and their young son, Shane. She is the author of "Morning Cup", a weekly Christian women's devotional. The messages are inspired by true life experiences in womanhood and in motherhood.

More Heartlight Feeds

Get Heartlight articles and devotionals by email FREE every day! Daily Heartlight Today's Verse What Jesus Did! Quotemeal

More Information