God, Vulnerability, and Mice … By Chaplain Colette

Are you protected?

Well, that question can mean different things over the course of a lifetime, can’t it? As a child it could have meant putting sunblock on to go to the beach or wearing a life jacket in a boat. As a young adult it could have meant a life insurance policy so if something happened to you, your family would be taken care of. And later life, Are you protected? could mean finances for late in life care or a good spam detection system on your computer.

Feeling vulnerable, which is what being unprotected feels like, is not very comfortable and sometimes it’s funny what we surround ourselves with to feel safe and secure.

I recently had to seek protection from a mouse. Yes, a mouse! Believe it or not, one night last month, I woke up to a mouse that had crawled into my bed and into my hair. (As they say, you can’t make these things up!) So, the following night, I set out three mousetraps in my bedroom and brought both my cats into the room for the night. Now I felt protected.

There are lots of things that do protect us in this world … vaccines, security cameras, health insurance, canes and walkers. But at the end of the day, I remind myself there is only one place I can find true comfort and protection, and that is in God. Without God, no other device of protection matters, because without God I will always feel lost and vulnerable.

On the flip side, when I feel God’s closeness, I am calm, centered, steady and grounded. God as the great protector is an image so prevalent in Scripture. Psalm 91 reminds us, “I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” In 2 Thessalonians Paul writes, “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you.” Isaiah too offers, “Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; (41:10).

To walk in God’s protective presence means that we don’t need to be anxious, defensive or unsettled. I encourage you to find some piece of Scripture or some saying that you can put on your nightstand or bathroom mirror for those times you feel vulnerable, to remind yourself you are always protected by the love of our Creator.

Well, the cats never found the mouse and it didn’t show up in the traps either, but I haven’t seen him again so maybe he’s moved along. I know God sends us messengers all the time, and the mouse’s visit did get me to thinking about vulnerability and God’s protection … but really God? A mouse in my hair? Ok, ok, you have my attention.

Later In Life Care

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