Pools and protection
Trees all around. Huge yard. Country peace.
We lived outside of town, in a new house, on 3 acres. It wasn’t necessarily my dream home – but it was my dream situation. A nice home away from everyone. It was private. It was peaceful. And I thought I had arrived.
To put it in perspective, it was so country that one of the neighbor’s chickens ended up on our porch and we had to return it (imagine me knocking on your door with a red hen under my arm . . .)
On a normal day, Megan was getting ready for work at the photography studio. I was already at the office. While the blow dryer roared in bathroom, Jude made her way to the only unlocked door in the house – the basement walkout.
We’re not even sure how it happened. She should have been playing in her room. Instead she made her way – through the woods – to the house next door. The house next door was at least 150-200 yards away.
And she jumped in the pool.
Jude loves the water, but doesn’t understand the need to be cautious. She can doggy paddle to keep her head above water. She still wears a life jacket any time we swim.
Megan heard a knock at the door.
It was our neighbor, carrying Jude. They were both soaked and Jude was crying.
Our neighbor explained how she was not at work because her youngest was sick. She had just woken up from a nap and walked to the sliding door to let her dog out. That’s when she found Jude in the pool.
The story still horrifies me. It’s also painful because – as a dad – I find my worth in keeping my family safe.
But God’s protection was on full display.
If she had walked north she wouldn’t have seen a house for at least half a mile.
If she had gone south she would have ended up near the two-lane highway.
If our neighbor hadn’t been home or woken up at the exact time that she did – the situation would have quickly turned from chilling to tragic.
The lesson here is that – for special needs parents – even if you’re on high alert 24/7 something bad may happen. A tumble. A fall. A meltdown. While we keep our guard up at all times – God is truly the one protecting our kids. He is our ultimate protector.
Psalm 91 flawlessly illustrates how God is our protector
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
PS – we moved.
God thank you for protecting Jude that day. I pray you continue to protect her. To give angels charge over her. Watch over her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Amen.
