Get out of the way, Mama Bear!

As I sit by my window and watch the snow fall quietly, consistently, and softly, forming a protective layer on the earth, it reminds me of God’s protection, how He covers me in so many ways that I do not even think about.  It is constant, thick, and not one area is left uncovered.  Quiet like the snow, you would not know it was there until, in a moment in time, you look and see it.  Today it will be a heavy accumulation, much like the way I like to see God’s protection.  I smile as I think of His love in this way as if it is too heavy to even shovel!  Even my snow blower would have a hard time cutting through it! 

An EDS Mama also protects her child; it is her job.  We have done it for so long that we do not know any differently.  A Mama’s protection is strong and it is fierce.  Sometimes I think I should have more accurately named my blog “Mama Bear”!  We try to protect our loved one from the hurt that we ourselves have encountered along the way, hurt from doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, counselors, peers, ignorant strangers, and the list goes on.  We have been somewhat successful in sheltering our child so that she can put what little energy she has into some blurry glimpse of daily function. 

But there comes a day when our child is no longer a child.  We have to allow him or her to begin taking on more responsibility in a lifelong journey.  It is hard for a Mama to do this because it will not be easy to watch.  There will be hurt, tears, frustration, and mistakes.  It was painful for me when I was in the midst of it all, but I know it will be even more difficult to watch my daughter become her own advocate.  She will experience first-hand the judgments, dis-belief, and mean spirits of others.  On the other hand, she will witness the love of Christ as He works through believers who will cross her path, making the journey all worthwhile.  She will watch God work through impossible circumstances and work everything for her good.

It is all part of growing into the woman God wants her to be.  If I interfere with this by constantly trying to protect her, she never fully learns about His grace, guidance, mercy, forgiveness, provision, comfort, and fierce protection.  Sometimes I try to help God by telling Him how to protect her.  “If only you would do this, Lord, her life would be so much easier!”  I’m so thankful that I can trust Him fully to cover her with the heavy snowfall of His protection.  He does not need me to tell Him how to do this.  This Mama Bear just needs to get out of the way!  When springtime comes and the snow is gone, His protection will still remain.  “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.  God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”  Psalm 46:1-5 NIV.

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