Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble.”

It remains my mother-in-law’s favorite memory. In fact, having lived for several years now with dementia, it is generally her only memory. The awareness of her past has faded and our visits with her consist of viewing the same photos each week where all are met with “new” excitement. Before saying our goodbyes, Granny will recount to us a precious memory. Allow me to share it as closely to her sweet words as I possibly can:

I know you don’t know this, but a few years ago (I will insert, it was actually about 50 years ago) my son, Mike, was chosen to be the elementary school’s crossing guard. I was so proud of him. Every morning he would put on his little crossing guard vest and pick up that crossing guard sign and take off walking to school. He thought he was so grown up. He didn’t want me to walk with him to school. But I wanted to protect him, so I would let him go a little distance and then I would take off walking behind him. I never let him out of my sight. He thought he was doing his job all by himself and he never realized I was right there in case he needed me. If he had only turned around, he would have seen me. But he never thought to turn around and look for me.

Have you ever heard a more precious testimony to the love of a parent? Actually, the answer is, “yes,” you have. As great a love as my mother-in-law had for my elementary school future-husband, our Heavenly Father loves us deeper.

In the same way this sweet mother watched over her son, God watches over us. Scripture reveals a Heavenly Father who protects us in troubled and difficult times and is never far from us, even when we fail to look for Him.

So, sisters, as you are “enjoying” your hour after hour, day after day of isolation, remember you are not alone. You, too, have a loving Father who at this very minute is close by with His watchful eye upon you.

Father God, we rest in the assurance that you are never far from us, especially in our days of trouble. Forgive us when we fail to look for your protective arm.

Rita Cochrane