Don’t Worry, Mom, They’ve Got Your Back

I do my best to keep everyone safe around the house and yard, but with three active little ones I often feel like we are merely one small baby step from calamity. I’m spinning plates in the air, and at any moment, it all could come crashing down.

Just look what my 12 month old has learned how to do…

This past Sunday, our church service reminded me why we don’t suffer more crashes, calamities, and frantic trips to the emergency room. I have my unseen parenting partners to thank. They stay vigilant 24/7 with no nodding off from exhaustion, no zoning out from constant demands, and no bathroom breaks.

The service last Sunday was all about angels. We celebrated the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels, a.k.a. Michaelmas. Michael is a head angel mentioned several times in the Bible. This festival has been around for a long time, but I don’t remember hearing much about it growing up. (Quick quiz: What 19th century novel mentions this festival in the first couple pages? )

I’m glad this celebration is making a comeback. Maybe I just appreciate the angels and their protection so much more now that I’m a mom.

Far from plump little cherubs or willowy Victorian beauties with flowing hair, angels are in fact powerful, fierce, and downright scary. Whenever they appear to humans in the Bible, the sight of them is terrifying. And they’re on our side, commanded by God to protect us. How awesome.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:9-11)

And our little ones receive special care and protection from the angels.

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)

Taking care of little ones all day long can be lonely. Being the only adult in the house hour after hour can be tough. At times I get this anxious feeling that it’s all on me…getting meals on the table before people pitch a fit, refereeing between my two oldest, deciding whether or not my teething baby should have more Tylenol, all while keeping everyone safe–managing to stay that baby step ahead of disaster.

But I’m not alone. I have a fierce, wise, untiring team right here with me, every moment. They are supremely dedicated to my kids’ well-being (and my own!) out of their supreme dedication to God. They serve us with superhuman strength and superhuman devotion because God commands it. And He commands it because He loves us.

So, moms (and grandmas, too), Happy Michaelmas!