If Anything Happens

If anything happens to me . . .

Whether you are single parenting for a deployment or longer, the feeling of vulnerability can quickly surround you. The possibility of an accident or other nightmare scenes terrifies you, not for your own well-being, but with the question, “What would happen to my kids?”

No matter how old our children are, we can fear leaving them unattended unintentionally. Military life forces us to write down emergency contact numbers of people we’ve barely met, with trusted extended family hours away.

When you are doing it alone, quickly coming to terms with your weaknesses and limitations is key. You cannot afford to pretend you are invincible or perfect.

And being imperfect is a good thing.

When we face our own insufficiencies, we turn more quickly to the one we most desperately need—the Lord who cares for his people. He is there to strengthen us, yes, as well as be a real help to our children… especially when we can’t.

The LORD cares for his nation, just as shepherds care for their flocks. He carries the lambs in his arms, while gently leading the mother sheep.

Isaiah 40:11 (CEV)

So grow with your children in your reliance on the Lord. Pray aloud and often about every little thing. Talk together—meditate—on what a Scripture verse means to you. Look for little glimpses of God at work around you and then celebrate those “God sightings.” Replace worrying thoughts with thanksgiving lists.

Often, the help God sends comes from other people—yes, even those emergency contacts. Community is a net the Lord expects us to help build and fall into when needed. It requires vulnerability and effort. It is important to take the time to make friends again and again. Join a church; be open about the support you need for you and your children—and then graciously accept the help offered.

Finally, praise God mightily when you see him working in your child’s life. He will give them wisdom, strength, comfort, and encouragement through other people and in ways you could never have imagined.

PRAY

Lord, hold us close! We need you to get through every day. Thank you for the people in our community and the ways I see you working in our lives. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Apply: Meditate on one verse from Psalm 23 each day this week. For example, verse 1 says, “You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.” Take a moment with your kids to talk about what it means. What does a shepherd do? What happens if there isn’t one? Why does God compare us to sheep?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 86:16

John 10:14-15