Eight-year-old Nastiya entered the kitchen with an accomplished look upon her face. Posture straight and ponytail swaying from side-to-side with so much excitement she nearly forgot her jacket walking out the door. Today would be her first day to walk to class alone. Alla, Mama, and Tolic, Daddy, kissed her goodbye. As they explained to Nastiya’s new American sisters what was happening tears began to form in Daddy’s eyes. He walked out the door, head down and slightly to the side so as not to show his tears, and made his way to the gate. One hand clinched the gate as he leaned on his toes to peer down the street; the other hand brushed the tears from his eyes. He reached for the sunglasses resting upon his tousled hair, and placed them over his flushed eyes. At the exact moment Nastiya turned the corner he darted down the street to watch from a safe distance as she made the next stretch of her journey. He watched as his daughter confidently frolicked to class allowing her to rest in her confidence, but near by to stand as her Daddy if his princess needed protection.
This is how our God, Abba, protects his children. He allows us to soar, allows us to fall, allows us to seek new heights and explore new regions, but all in the shadow of his wings.
She returned home hours later with the same skip in her step as when she left. She was so proud of her accomplish she shared it with each member of the family. Daddy, a smile upon his face, daughter within his lap, listened intently as his little princess recounted the days adventure.
“If I rise on wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
~Psalm 139:9-10
