P is for protected
I would call it a sleep-over, the nights when my husband traveled. The young children would gleefully set up camp on the floor of my room, and I would lock us in and put a chair in front of the door. Hours would tick by as I listened to their soft breaths, and to every groan and creak the house made, ready to hit the panic button on my car keys should the need arise.
I’ve learned I can go one night without sleep. Maybe two. But it’s not too pretty. On night three I opened my Bible to Psalms 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.” I knew I had a choice to make. I could try to protect my children with all my might or I could trust God. I realized He could do a much better job that I was doing. I slept that night with the handwritten verse tucked under my pillow and prayers asking God to place his angels to protect our home.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:!
“He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.: Psalm 121:3
“Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by” Ps 57:1
Many business trips have come and gone since that night, but I no longer lose sleep. I know God got this. And not just that he won’t let anything bad happen – just the opposite, really. No matter what happens, he’s still God. He is in control. Nothing surprises Him. He will never leave me and will help me through whatever deep waters I need to walk through.
Amen! I can relate to your alone nights! You know I jump-flew did a somersault and face-planted into the floor when the dog barked in the middle of the night. Got a brush burn on my cheek to remind me. Had my hubby been home, I would have nudged him and said, “Go see what’s freaking out the dog.” And I’d have been sleeping again before he even got back into the bed!
I didn’t hear that story before!! Yup – all the monsters come out when hubby travels!