LIMITED

                                                       LIMITED 

Has your child ever done anything that made you feel like your spirit was about to leave your body?

Well, that was my story with Nailah December 2017- January 2018. Three times in less than two weeks this girl had done stunts that scared the life out of me.

What can a two and a half-year-old do to get me so frightened you may you wonder? Hhmm, read on and see for yourself.

We had gone to Jos to spend Christmas with my parents and as usual, Nailah was as energetic and as active as ever. She is like a little energizer bunny and keeps going and going without breaking down. Anyway, here in chronological order are the things my daughter did that scared me out of my wits.

My Husband’s cousin was getting married and while at the reception, she wanted to go to the restroom. Nailah and I went to the bathroom and on our way back, she just bailed on me. She loves to play hide and see and there I was in a crowd of people searching for her. I was scared stiff. I asked my Husband if she had come to him, but no, she wasn’t there. I was heavily pregnant and wearing heels, don’t ask me why I was wearing heels (hey, I guess looking good in pregnancy is good business) and at a point I didn’t even realize when I removed my shoes and started scanning the wedding venue frantically looking for her. The thoughts running through my mind were ‘God, please don’t let them steal my child, she is small and they can easily make away with her at this Christmas period’. Other crazy thoughts kept coming while I was battling them in prayer asking for the help of God’s angels which are assigned to help us. Out of nowhere, she pops out like a daisy smiling. Man, I was relieved, but angry and almost smacked her. I held her firmly and asked her never to do that again, she could see fear all over my face and she hugged me and said “ok Mummy”.

The second scariest experience came about two days after the first. My Mum, Husband, Nailah and I had gone to the park and were on our way home when we decided to stop to get some money from an ATM located close to a very busy street. When we were done with the ATM my Husband opened the door and Nailah just ran out headed for the street. My Husband barely got a hold of her and yanked her back when some cars came a few minutes later. I was shaking by then as I could still recollect the incident at the wedding.

The last one happened on our way back to Abuja. The driver wanted to stop and partake in the Jummat prayers. We decided to stop to eat and stretch while we waited for him. Nailah and her Aunties (my Nieces) were at the back of the car and as one of them came out Nailah followed her. I don’t know what my Niece was doing that she wasn’t holding her hand, but just as I stepped out of the car and was looking for her I saw her at the edge of the road blabbing excitedly about a used tire she saw hanging and calling it a hula hoop. She was just about to cross when I grabbed her hand and pulled her back. I was just lucky the road was a very bad one with so many ditches that drivers had to slow down to maneuver. The look the oncoming cab driver gave me was one of disgust like ‘irresponsible parent’.

That was the last straw for me. I had been praying throughout the previous ordeals but this one just scared me silly because I kept thinking of all the ‘what if’s’ like, ‘what if the road was not so bad speed bumps? What if the car had hit her? What if I had gotten out late? Those are super scary thoughts for any parent, especially a Mom.

I would literally give my life to protect my babies and I always try so hard to protect them and keep them safe, but the events of that week and the one before was freaking me out so I ran back to God with so many questions and throwing all my fears and cares before him. “What is happening God and why are you letting all these things happen? Have I done something wrong or what are you trying to tell me?” I was confused and needed answers.

When I entered that prayer session mode before God that day, I was a frightened and confused Mother in need of help, answers, and solutions. During my session with God that day, He told me one thing. “Nobody is out to hurt your child Serah and you have done nothing wrong. I just want to teach you and show you that no matter how much you love this child and any other child, your ability to protect them and keep them from harm’s way is limited.” He told me “Serah It is beyond you. Many times you say you know it, but you do not act it. I see the way you go about doing things and it is ok to do your best, but I need you to truly acknowledge the fact that I and I alone am unlimited in my ability to keep and protect the things you value and cherish the most.”

I was so humbled when I left his presence that day. Since then, I have always told God ‘Father, I accept my inability to protect my children and so I place them before you, the limitless God to keep them from all harm. Your word says that whatever I place in your hands, nothing can take out of and so I place them in your care and ask for the ministration of your angels to encamp themselves around them as the mountains surround Jerusalem. I ask that they catch them, lest they hit their feet upon stones as you have said they would in Psalm 91’.

Since then, I have learned to relax a bit more and truly trust God with the affairs of my kids even though some days I still get it wrong but I am a work in progress. I am fully aware that despite my best efforts it is the Lord that truly protects and that is very comforting. Have you ever been faced with scary circumstances regarding your children? How did you deal with them? Have a lovely week.