Hold onto Me

Maybe you can relate to this little one in the picture above. She’s scanning the room. Terrified. Waiting with anxiety. Heart beating out of her chest from fear. Scared to leave my side for a second because of what lies ahead. What is causing his little one to be a ball of nerves and cling so tightly to me that when I try to peel her away she’s taking half of my skin with her?

Your worst nightmare ...He goes by the name of Chuck E. Cheese and he makes his appearance in t-minus 5 seconds.

My middle is absolutely terrified of any type of mascot. She stopped going to my little sister’s basketball games because of the possibility of the “Wildcat” being there. 

As an adult, we sometimes see childhood fears as silly because we know that it’s only make-believe and there is nothing really to be afraid of. However I could be mistaken for Usain Bolt if I have to go outside at night because I forgot something in my car, especially if I’m at my parents. I take off on a dead sprint. Scary stories as a child ruined me.

As I was sitting with my child, my arm around her, blocking access to her by sitting her on the inside of the booth, I started thinking. This little soul trusts me to protect her from the bad things in life. She clings to me when she’s scared because in mommy’s arms she feels safe. She trusts that I will not allow harm to come to her. I can’t take away the bad, but I can help her through her fear by wrapping my arms around her and holding her tight. It reminded me of the times my Dad carried me through the Haunted Trail because I thought I was brave enough to go through. As long as he was carrying me and my face was buried in his shirt, I felt okay even though there were chainsaws around me and screams everywhere.

The older I get and the longer I’m a parent, I realize one of the reasons why God gave us children. So often the things you feel for your child are the exact things God feels for you because after all you are his. So just like my child feels safe in my arms when she’s scared, we should feel safe in God’s. The way my child trusts me to take care of her from the things she’s afraid of is the way we should trust God to help harness our fears. The way I know I will always be there for my child is the way God will always be there for us.

He’s always on our side. 

So when fear overtakes you, remember God’s arms are always open and willing to scoop you up if you will just run to them.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭56:3‬ 

With love,

Tori