Safe in My Father’s Arms

May 22, 2008

By Betty Rich Hendon

Daddy often took me fishing during my childhood in the 1940s. He would melt lead and make his own fishing weights for his rod and reel. If you didn’t have a store-bought item, just make it, was his motto.

I loved to watch Daddy at work on those fishing weights, and listen to his stories. I knew when the lead cooled we would go fishing.

One summer day when he gave the invitation, I jumped in the truck with him and got ready for a Saturday adventure. We parked at the side of the road and strolled through the grassy path that led to Horse Creek.

The heat index was high, but the trees along the bank of the river offered shade. I watched Daddy catch and string his catfish. They would become our dinner. When he declared he was through for the day, we began our walk back to the truck.

Our path took us through a large field surrounded by barbed wire. About halfway through the field, Daddy yelled, “Run, Betty!”

Instantly I obeyed. Sure enough, I heard the loud snorting of the local farmer’s bull. As I ran toward the fence, I heard Daddy running up behind me. He lifted me effortlessly over the fence before coming over himself.

It’s a simple story, but reminds me of a profound truth. God, my Heavenly Father, is with me through life’s pleasures and pain. He supplies the joys of life, and the needed protection when Satan would try to destroy me.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’ ” (Deuteronomy 33:27, NIV).

— Adapted from “Paths That Cross,” by Betty Rich Hendon.