A Tumble

Emerson took a tumble a couple of months ago. (As in, December, I think? Clearly, I'm a bit behind in my blog-posting, but it's a story worth sharing, anyway, in my opinion.)

She was sitting on the couch, propped up by pillows, as we'd done many times before. I was adjusting the computer, not two feet away. And then, as if in slow motion, I saw her jerk forward (a new "trick" at the time), then roll off the side, twist mid-air, and land on her back on the floor. I saw it happening...was reaching for her as it occurred...and I just couldn't move fast enough.

She cried; I cried.

She calmed down quickly, though I watched all day for signs of something serious. All seemed well, and thankfully, that first tumble (the first of many, I know) was a mild one.

Still...it was a terrible, horrible feeling.

I was not only upset that she was hurt, but that it happened because of something I could've prevented. And, frankly, I tried to...with pillows and positioning her in such a way that I thought she was safe. I was aware that falls would be increasingly possible as she became increasingly mobile, and I knew it was a risk. The fact that I tried to keep it from happening...and something bad happened, anyway...made it all the more discouraging.

As I prayed over her that night, I thanked the Lord for watching over her, for His hand of protection during that scary moment.

I was reminded, then, that I can't keep Emerson from all harm. I've tried to protect her from the moment (and even before) I knew she was on her way, and I do my best every day to keep this precious child well.

But, we live in a fallen world. And, there are dangers, big and small...circumstances that are out of my hands. I hope I'm always mindful to continually place her into His.