Around Caden's second birthday, we began to notice that loud, unexpected noises would scare him. Things like the trash truck (which comes around 6 a.m. on Thursday mornings) or thunder would wake him from sleeping or cause a mini-anxiety attack during waking hours. Of course, we comforted and reassured but nothing seemed to make him feel better until Papa stepped in.
While on a trip to Papa and KK's house, a thunder storm came through during the night. We knew, of course, that there was the potential for Caden to wake up afraid of the thunder. Well, he did wake up and my dad, Papa, was the one who got up with him. I have no idea how long it took for Caden to calm down and fall back asleep but my dad was the one who was there. He told Caden it was okay, it was just thunder, and showed him he was safe inside the house. Now, if you know my dad, he can be persistant so I'm sure this conversation went on for a while before my stubborn toddler gave into the idea.The next day, Caden told us all about it. Well, in the best way a toddler can put together a story (my dad helped fill in the gaps for us).
Over the next few weeks I began to notice that when Caden would become frightened he would say to himself, and us, "It's okay, it's a truck" or "It's okay, it's thunder." This idea really stuck with him. It has become a very common phrase in our house. Anytime Caden becomes fearful, he will reassure himself because my dad took the time to patiently and persistantly reassure him that it was okay.
So where is the lesson in that? Well, God hit me in the face with it about a week ago. I am prone to worry and I have memorized Philippians 4:6-8, which says "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (NASB)
So, I'm sure some of you are saying "yeah, yeah, pray about it". Well there were two things I missed along the way. First, the verse directly before the "be anxious for nothing" part says "the Lord is near." Just like my dad was near to Caden, God is near to us. Why would I be anxious if the God of the universe is near to me? What do I have to be afraid of?
The next part I simply have overlooked is that I can have the peace of God. So the word peace here means security, safety, the tranquil state of a soul reassured of it's salvation through Christ Jesus, as so fearing nothing from God and content with it's earthly lot (yep, nerdy Precepts coming out). Just like Caden had a peace being with my dad in the safety of the house during the storm, I too can have a peace being in the shelter of God's wings (Psalm 61:4) during the storms that can cause anxiety and fear in me.
And here is the best part, the part where Caden taught me so much, all I have to do is accept it! Caden is still fearful, but he will continually tell himself, "It's okay." I don't know why my two year old would chose to do this, but it is so profound. When I'm anxious or fearful, I can tell myself the things I know to be true of God and of myself as a Christ-follower. Simply acknowledging and repeating the truths help them to sink deep inside our hearts and minds, guarding us against believing the lies the enemy would have us to believe.
So, thank you Dad for patiently and persistently working with Caden and for giving him the gift of knowing it's okay even when there is a storm outside.
Thank you Caden, my beautifully sweet and tender little boy, for teaching me that it's okay, it's only... Because I so need reminding.
Thank you Jesus for being my shelter during the storms of this life, for being near to me, for comforting me and reminding me through Your word that it's okay because You have already overcome sin and death.
