AUGUST 17, Psalm 5:11

“Oh, Mom! I don’t feel good,” moaned Natalie one morning. “Can I stay home today?” She sat down and clutched her stomach. Looking concerned, Mom agreed that Natalie could stay home from school.

An hour or so later, Natalie felt much better, and she went to help her mother make cookies. After putting on one of Mom’s aprons, she tried to crack an egg into a bowl. “Oops!” she squealed as the egg broke, slid down her apron, and landed on the floor. “Good thing I’m wearing this apron.”

As Mom helped clean up the mess, she looked at Natalie thoughtfully. “Do you think you really were sick this morning, honey, or were you just nervous about going to a new school?” Mom asked. Natalie sighed. “Oh, Mom, it seems so weird in this school. I don’t have any friends here!” she said.

“It will get better,” Mom assured her. After a moment she added, “Natalie, just like you have that apron to protect your clothes as you work here in the kitchen, you have someone to protect you as you go to school. Did you know that?” “You mean… you or Dad?” Natalie asked. “But you can’t go to school with me!”

Mom smiled. “No, we can’t,” she said, “and I don’t mean us. I mean God. That apron protected your clothes-nothing can get to your good clothes without going through the apron. God is your protector in life. Nothing can happen to you without going through Him. In other words, nothing can happen unless God allows it.” Natalie looked thoughtful. “Yeah . . . but He does allow things to happen that we don’t like.”

Mom nodded. “Yes, but He is with us. He helps us get through them, and He uses them to teach us important lessons,” she said. She put an arm around Natalie’s shoulder. “Let’s ask the Lord to help you remember His promises, and then I think you should get ready and go to school this afternoon. When you feel nervous, remember the apron-and that God’s protection is far better!”

Natalie nodded slowly. “Anna and Lily were really friendly yesterday,” she said. “Maybe I could take a couple cookies for them. Okay?”

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Thought:Are you afraid of something? A difficult class? A bully at school? The dark? If you’re a Christian, God is your protection in whatever situation you face.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for reminding me that I am never alone. You are a prayer away! In Jesus’ name, Amen.