A few weeks ago I was headed into Kohls with our youngest daughter to return a couple of items. I had helped her out of the car and then gathered up the merchandise. As we made our way to the entrance of the store, walked close to the line of parked cars. The challenge came in crossing the last 30 feet where cars passed between the store and us. Normally, I would hold her hand but this time my arms were full. After letting a couple of cars pass, there was a break and I stepped forward, calling for my daughter to come with me. She took several steps but then saw another car turn to head our way. She turned and retreated back to stand next to the parked car we had just left. I scurried back, thankful that we weren't on a real street. I tried to impress upon her one lesson,

"Just stay close to me, no matter what. Even if you see a car, just stay close to me."

It hit me that this is not just a lesson that a three year-old needs to learn -- we all need to learn this lesson. For, this is the very thing that God says to us:

"No matter what happens, stay close to me."

If you are like me, when you see trouble coming, you flee to safety. Or at least you flee to those things that give you the feeling of security. But none of those can offer you true security. That kind of safety only comes from God who is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He urges us to stay by his side, even if it look like it is a dangerous place, because he is our loving, heavenly Father and he will keep us secure in his love and providence.