Our family has been intentionally taking a walk each night for health and wellness issues and to encourage our children to stay active. Sarafina enjoys these walks and she calls them “Short Walk,” which consists of walking in our neighborhood or “Big Walk,” which covers about three miles and includes an ice cream stop at McDonald’s. On short walks, Sarafina walks with us and on a few occasions she has gotten scared when she has seen a cat or rabbit walking nearby. She begins to say, “I don’t like that. I am scared.” She screams and gets closer to Nancy and I and even demands, “Pick me up.” As we try to comfort her and assure her the cat or rabbit are not going to do anything to her, she continues to request our holding her. Once one of us takes her into our arms, she tells us how much she does not like that animal and will often hug our neck very tight.
I was thinking about how often when I am fearful or anxious, I cry out to God for assistance. There are times when I know I will be fine, but I need that assurance of God’s presence. I am reminded of the song by Rich Mullins, “Hold me Jesus, cause I am shaking like a leaf. You have been King of my glory, Won’t you be my Prince of Peace.” When we are scared or anxious we need to be reminded that the Lord said to Joshua, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Cling to Jesus in the midst of your fear and anxieties and he will take care of you.