Under His Wings You May Seek Refuge

I was reading and having a cup of tea when the chime of my phone called my attention away.

“Hey mom.” My daughter’s voice sounded breathless and pinched.

“Kate, are you alright? It's a blizzard out there!" My heart tightened, picturing how much worse the weather would be at her farm, 1300 feet above where I lived.

"I just got a call from the restaurant and they need me. They are short-staffed because of the storm." Her voice was a mixture of resolve and tenacity. 

I waited for her to inform me of what was really on her mind.  Often she called to air her worries or think things through.

"Mom, can you watch George? " Though her tone was neutral, I could sense the undercurrent of more concerns at home.

“Of course I can. I’ve missed his visits,” I said.

“I wouldn’t ask, not in this storm, but the barn doesn’t have electricity and David has to break ice in the water troughs every few hours. Also his tractor isn’t running. He’s feeling overwhelmed with everything right now,” Kate said.

“David needs to focus on the farm. This storm makes feeding the animals much harder. Don’t worry, George will be safe and get lots of attention.” I promise her.

"Thank you, Mom. You're a lifesaver. We’ll be there shortly."

"Drive carefully, sweetheart."

I gave a quick prayer for her safety driving to and from work over snowy roads. Her four-wheel-drive had studs but I thought of the precious cargo she carried. 

Kate had tried for over a year to conceive another child and now she and David were blessed. This time she suffered morning sickness and headaches. Sweet little George was used to his mother racing along behind him. He couldn’t understand why she laid on the couch now. Thank heavens he had such an appetite for books. She could read to him as long as his heart desired.

With one phone call, my afternoon transformed from routine to unexpected.

I quickly prepared George's favorite: macaroni and cheese and then set about cleaning the kitchen, knowing there would be no time once George arrived. I washed the saucepan and laid it in the dish rack.

Looking up, I watched a Kate-shaped silhouette carrying a heavy bundle trudge through the snow globe that was my front yard.

I opened the door to a blast of cold wind, Kate's cheeks were rosy from the biting cold, and little George was completely bundled up in winter gear.

"Hi Mom," Kate stepped inside.

“Come in from the cold.” I took her heavy bundle into my arms. The only visible parts of him were his blue eyes, upturned nose, and well formed chin. George smiled and looked up at me. That perfect face had mesmerized me from the instant he was born.

”Be safe, okay?" I said, trying to communicate the fierceness of my love.

"I will." Kate gave me a brave smile, then bent down to kiss George's forehead. “You stay with Grandma, while I go off to work."

“Don’t worry about us. With George, there is never a dull moment,” I assured her.

"Love you both," Kate said, giving us one last look before braving the storm once more.

"Love you both, too,” I replied, closing the door against the gusts that tried to snatch away the warmth inside.

I looked down at George. He stood still long enough for me to peel off his coat, hat and boots. Then he made a beeline to his toy dump truck, bent over and pushed it pell mell over the living room carpet and down the long hall.

I followed him and had to laugh at his serious attitude toward play. Head down with legs shuffling back and forth so fast that he streaked through the house. He needed to make a few laps before he could sit still for reading. 

Soon enough, George picked up the dump truck and placed it on the cushions beside me. Then he brought over his two favorite stuffed animals, Lili and Bow-wow, a lion and black and white dog. Next he gathered up smaller tractor and a plastic car and added them to his growing audience. 

“What shall we read first?”

He carried over Little Blue Truck and Springtime. He paused, went back to the book box, and collected several others just for good measure. Then he scrambled up on the couch to sit on my lap. Reading could begin once he was surrounded by his favorite books, stuffed animals, and wheeled toys.

We settled into our fortress against the storm. I whispered a silent thank you for the unexpected blessings of this day. The blizzard outside may be unleashing its full glory, but within these walls, a different energy was brewing—one of joy and childhood exuberance.

George handed me a book about a farmer boy and his animal friends. His choice didn't surprise me, his days were surrounded by goats, pigs and a dog on the farm. 

I opened the book to the first page.

"Pig" he pointed at the pink pig standing near a trough.

“What does the pig say?" I waited for his reply.

George squealed with a sound that was surprisingly accurate. Nothing like the polite oink oink children are taught to say, his outburst was apt. George knew the sounds pigs make. At feeding time they turn frantic, shove each other to get to the trough, or stand on top of the food just to keep the other pigs away. 

"Right you are!" I kissed his forehead.

“Dump truck,” George shouted, abandoning the books for his toy dump truck next to him on the pillow.

"Let's see if your dump truck can carry Lili and Bow-wow.” 

George gleefully pressed his stuffed animals inside his truck before taking them for a zip around the house at top speed.

“Br-broom, br-broom!” He cried. His hands kept his favorite playmates inside the bounds of the truck while he raced the length of the house. 

I wondered at his pure joy of movement. He explored the world with unrestrained wonder, and I was blessed to be part of it. I felt a swell of love, for my dear grandson as I covered him with comfort, love and attention. 

How much more our heavenly Father loves us, always faithful and steadfast through any storm, always willing to take us under his wing.

As I reflect on this special day, I'm filled with overwhelming gratitude for the unexpected blessings that come our way, even amidst life's storms. In these moments, God reveals His love and faithfulness to us. Sometimes we are too busy to notice His small blessings, a warm cup of tea on a chilly morning, a smile from a friend, a telephone call, an afternoon with a grandson. These glimpses of grace remind us of God's goodness and unwavering presence in our lives.

May you find joy and gratitude in your own unexpected blessings, big and small. With an open heart to the beauty that surrounds you, may you feel God's presence and guidance through every storm. It is often in simple joys amid the flurry of life that we are reminded of God’s mighty love.

This year, I want to share my love of God and family through writing. I have always loved to write, and as a new grandmother I am inspired watching my daughter have the experience of being a mother. The joy of motherhood is compounded in being a grandmother, like bi-focals. Life is a blessing.