Five Minute Friday: Safe

“Be safe.”

I can’t tell you the number of times people have said that to me.  I always want to say, “No, I’ll be reckless.”

I don’t though because I know that’s not what they mean.  Usually, they’re referring to things I have very little control over:  flights, road conditions, terrorist attacks.

What they really mean is “be careful” because they want me to be safe.

Just like I want my kids to be safe, wherever, whenever, and with whomever.

So, I teach them to look both ways when crossing the street, to be aware of their surroundings, not to talk to strangers, etc. and so on.

Because their safety  is important to me, and as parents, my husband and I are responsible for ensuring it in every way we are able.

But there are things beyond our control.

Those are things that keep moms up at night, aren’t they?

My oldest is only 11 so to all of you with teenagers, I have to ask:  How to do you control your fear?  How do you let go?  Relax?  Go to sleep in your bed if they’re not in theirs?

But I know the answer already.

I learned it when she was only an infant, and surprisingly, though she changes, the answer does not.

Trust.

It’s the same answer I give my mom every time I go to Kenya.  It’s the answer I give my daughter when she’s not sure she wants me to go.  It’s the way my husband watches me walk toward the terminal with a smile.

Trust.

It’s not that my husband trusts me (he knows how easily adventure finds me), it’s that he trusts God.  He believes that no matter where I am located, I am still firmly in God’s hands.

It’s the reason I learned to stop checking on my baby in her crib and let her sleep.  She wasn’t sleeping in that room alone.  God was with her all the while.

Does that mean bad things don’t happen when we walk with God?  No, but I believe it means he always works them for good somehow.

Anyone who knows me well can tell you I love a good adventure.  Change and challenge inspire me, motivate me, and help me to grow, but they’re seldom ever easy and sometimes not quite “safe.”

That doesn’t mean we should avoid them.

I’m sure Peter felt safer with his feet firmly planted in the boat, but that’s not where Jesus was.  It’s not where faith was following. He might have stayed safe in the boat, but he would have missed a once-in-a-lifetime walk with his Savior.

We don’t want to miss opportunities like that so that we can feel secure where we sit.  So we follow in the face of fear, knowing that even if we don’t feel safe, we are secure.

“So do not fear, for I am with you;  do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

Every Friday, I try to participate in Five Minute Friday, which is hosted by Kate Motaung.  This week’s prompt was “safe.”  I hope you’ll join us.  FMF is a great community of writers and bloggers and so much fun!  Take a moment to visit and read some of the other posts.  I promise you’ll find something you like!