fear

It's been a scary week. The news is filled with horror upon horror - tragedies that strike fear and anxiety and fill our minds with "what if?". At least that's my story.
I've always been pretty fearless - until I had babies. Then suddenly I feared my own shadow when it came to all the dangers the world presents. And the very thought of something happening to one of my children? It can be crippling.

And then I remember: do not be afraid. fear not. 
Fear will not protect me from tragedy. From shootings or explosions or bombings or cancer or car accidents or kidnappers. Fear will not make those things go away or less likely. It won't prepare my heart for what would happen in those moments if any of it came to pass.

I have to lean into a God that promises to be with me in it. I have to plead for the parents who have suffered such loss - for their comfort, for peace, for miracles. God doesn't promise bad things won't happen, but He promises to walk with us in it. To carry us through, to provide a peace that passes all understanding, to draw us closer to Him in our sufferings and provide shelter in the shadow of His wings.

It's something I needed to be reminded of every day, many times. In weeks like these, I need to be reminded of it every hour.

He is with us.