SURROUNDED

“Guess what, Bug?” I asked, surprising her at school. “Your baby sister’s coming today, and we’re going to have a sleepover!”

Bug’s head tilted, eyes narrowed with suspicion. “For real, Nik?”

“For real!” I answered, to which we both shouted, “Hooray!”

Because if God intended Mommy’s tummy to be the safest, best place on earth, He certainly planned for Grandma’s house to be the second runner-up.

When bedtime rolled around, we were both exhausted. Bug’s head was spinning from merry-go-round rides and endless questions about babies and big sisters. 

My feet were dragging from the sleepless night before when worry had chased all the people I loved down uncertain, scary paths. Heart racing, I had run to open my Bible at 3 a.m. 

“I am all around you on every side,” God had reminded me. (Psalm 139:5)

Now I tucked her into bed-my bed, not hers. “Because grandma beds are cozier,” she declared.

But when the lights went out, her little voice shouted a confession from deep inside a pillow fort. “Nik?! I’m scared of the dark!”

So with every light turned on to blaze her fears away, I laid down beside her and breathed warm hushes into silky curls. “I’m here, Bug.” 

She fell into restless slumber while I slept one eye open, watching dreams toss her around the bed, then suddenly off the edge-headfirst!

With supernatural strength, I pulled her to safety by the seat of her pants before she hit the floor. Then wrapped every part of me around every inch of her for the rest of the night. Before I fell asleep, God spoke again in a language a grandma understands.

“This is how I surround my children,” He showed me, her little heart beating next to mine.

At sunrise, I woke to the most beautiful sight - Bug safe and sound, her bright blue eyes staring at me inches from my face with another revelation.

“I don’t like to sleep. I like to play,” she informed me.

And as my tired feet searched for slippers, I heard God chuckle with understanding, "See what I go through?"

Then, we all spent another glorious day together held securely by His love.

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WELL FED