There was once a time I really wanted to see a bear in the wild. Like a big bear. I thought I’d be brave. Cool. Calm. Collected. I mean, I’m married to Tom and I have three boys! A bear would be an adventure! Boy, was I wrong!
On our family trip to Glacier National Park a few summers ago, my dream came true! We came seriously close to a big bear right off our trail. Thank goodness he was busy tearing a stump apart with his big claws — like it was a styrofoam cup! Let’s just say I was not calm. Or brave. Or collected. The boys tried to follow him, but putting my Mama-foot down we walked away from him down the trail. I kid you not! Not even five minutes down the trail Tom said, “There’s another one!” I said, “ha-HAA!” But nope! There it was! Lumbering across the trail! Again! Not calm! Not brave!
I’ve read a few survival type novels over the years and actually really enjoy them. I fancy myself that I could be hard-core. I could rough it! I could be mentally tough. I could learn to forage! After all, I am married to Tom and have three boys! But this quarantine. This COVID-19! Man! I had to cancel a family beach trip! Double man!! And let me tell you. The Pre-Traumatic Stress your healthcare workers are beginning to feel is no joke!
(Although we may actually joke about it because that’s what we do.) Mentally tough? Not so much!
I’m not sure when we will get to the beach again. I don’t know how this pandemic 2020 is going to turn out. But I do know that nothing can keep us from the love of the Almighty. And even though I am not always calm, collected or mentally tough, and even though I am always imperfect, there is not a thing that can separate us from our Father. Not shame, bears, fear, COVID, or even in the end, a grave. In these crazy times, I am so thankful for that firm foundation and blessed assurance!
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No. In all these things we are more then conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35-37