Do you think there is something in each of us,
well, most of us,
that feels protective and stirred up when we see someone or something being bullied or intimidated?
Even in nature, I want the antelope to escape the lion and the mouse to get away from the cobra.
I know, it's the circle of life. But, most of us can't help but root for the underdog, especially when the "underdog" involves children or a mom protecting her babies.
This is how I became friends with the MaMa Bunny that lived in my yard.
(I'm not actually sure she knew we were friends).
I often see rabbits in my backyard. In the spring and early summer, they make their little nests near the large bushes that placed a hedge between our yard and the neighbor's yard behind us. I may see them dart through the front yard to the bushes on the side. But my backyard is their usual hangout.
So, when I came home one stormy evening, I was surprised to see a rabbit sitting up at full attention about 7 feet away from the corner of the front walkway that connects my driveway to my porch. Even when I was at the closest point of the walkway to her, she did not move. Later, when the rain started coming down much harder, I looked out the front window. I was surprised to see she was still there. It did not occur to me until the next morning when the storm was gone that she must be sitting on a nest of newborn baby bunnies.
well, most of us,
that feels protective and stirred up when we see someone or something being bullied or intimidated?
Even in nature, I want the antelope to escape the lion and the mouse to get away from the cobra.
I know, it's the circle of life. But, most of us can't help but root for the underdog, especially when the "underdog" involves children or a mom protecting her babies.
This is how I became friends with the MaMa Bunny that lived in my yard.
(I'm not actually sure she knew we were friends).
I often see rabbits in my backyard. In the spring and early summer, they make their little nests near the large bushes that placed a hedge between our yard and the neighbor's yard behind us. I may see them dart through the front yard to the bushes on the side. But my backyard is their usual hangout.
So, when I came home one stormy evening, I was surprised to see a rabbit sitting up at full attention about 7 feet away from the corner of the front walkway that connects my driveway to my porch. Even when I was at the closest point of the walkway to her, she did not move. Later, when the rain started coming down much harder, I looked out the front window. I was surprised to see she was still there. It did not occur to me until the next morning when the storm was gone that she must be sitting on a nest of newborn baby bunnies.
Just a week or two earlier, my husband and neighbor got rid of the bushes at the back of the property so a privacy fence could replace them. Instead of choosing the hedges on either side of our yard, the poor pregnant rabbit dug the small hole for her nest between our front walkway and a large tree.
The first few days, I loved observing her sitting in the same place several times a day, keeping watch and providing for her newborn babies. But early one morning. I heard an evil noise right outside my window.
"Caw!!! Caw!!!"
I got right out of bed and went to the front window.
Just as I expected-
A big, black, evil bird with its head pointed right down at my new friend was trying to intimidate her to move, so it could snatch up her new babies.
I opened the front door, went onto my porch and told it to go.
That mean bird completely ignored me. I clapped my hands and told it again. It finally flew away.
I was a bit surprised, the rabbit did not move. She did not move at the loud caw of the raven. She did not even move when I was clapping and talking harsh to that bird.
Unfortunately, the bird did not find me intimidating enough to stay away. The next morning it came back and brought its friends. They were like a bad gang trying to take over my neighborhood.
Oh no! Not in my yard!
There are too many cute little creatures living there to allow predators to stay. Unfortunately, my husband did not understand or appreciate my vigilance. I was helping a mom and her babies. I was taking a stand for the squirrels, the bunnies and even the chipmunks.
If that mama bunny could have the courage to protect her babies in a storm or when a predator was perched right above her, I would do my best to help her out.
This went on several days, until finally ......
my niece and her boyfriend noticed the tiny bunnies out of their nest. I wanted to hold them and tell them to run before the demon birds came back. Where was their mom?
The first few days, I loved observing her sitting in the same place several times a day, keeping watch and providing for her newborn babies. But early one morning. I heard an evil noise right outside my window.
"Caw!!! Caw!!!"
I got right out of bed and went to the front window.
Just as I expected-
A big, black, evil bird with its head pointed right down at my new friend was trying to intimidate her to move, so it could snatch up her new babies.
I opened the front door, went onto my porch and told it to go.
That mean bird completely ignored me. I clapped my hands and told it again. It finally flew away.
I was a bit surprised, the rabbit did not move. She did not move at the loud caw of the raven. She did not even move when I was clapping and talking harsh to that bird.
Unfortunately, the bird did not find me intimidating enough to stay away. The next morning it came back and brought its friends. They were like a bad gang trying to take over my neighborhood.
Oh no! Not in my yard!
There are too many cute little creatures living there to allow predators to stay. Unfortunately, my husband did not understand or appreciate my vigilance. I was helping a mom and her babies. I was taking a stand for the squirrels, the bunnies and even the chipmunks.
If that mama bunny could have the courage to protect her babies in a storm or when a predator was perched right above her, I would do my best to help her out.
This went on several days, until finally ......
my niece and her boyfriend noticed the tiny bunnies out of their nest. I wanted to hold them and tell them to run before the demon birds came back. Where was their mom?
Our family moved on to the rest of our activities. By the time we returned, they were gone.
That mother rabbit may not have realized it, but she reminded me of almost every mom that I know. Moms will withstand anything to protect their children (no matter how old those babies are). Even before they are born, parents baby-proof the house and get the car seat ready. Throughout their lives, we want them safe from every possible harm. When they are little, it is easy to control their environment and protect them from many of life’s dangers. But as they grow, it gets more and more difficult. The goal is for our little ones to become amazing adults. This means with each new phase, parents have to let go and give more freedom.
There is only one thing I know to do to protect them in each new phase, actually in every phase.
Pray
Truly, praying is the most important thing we can do, no matter the age of the children we love.
James 5 says, ".....the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective".
We can plainly see, the need to protect our children includes much more than physical dangers.
I Peter 5:8 NLT
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Though the evils in the world sometimes feel overwhelming, we know our prayers to God are powerful and effective. God knows what is ahead for our children and what traps are nearby that could entangle them. It is important as we pray to also listen. As you pray, you will sometimes get a sense in your heart of something you should pray that you hadn't even thought about earlier.
Friend, I have something really important you need to know and remember.
God loves you and He loves your children, even more than you do.
Praying for your family is one of the most important things you can do. Like the MaMa Bunny sitting on her nest of babies while the evil birds tried to intimidate her so they could devour the little ones, we need to be diligent in covering our own children in prayer.
Never Forget the Truth...
"Tremendous power is released through the passionate heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!"
James 5:16b TPT
