It's 5:51 and Emma and her dad have both headed to work.

This is quite normal for Patrick, but not for young Emma.

This morning in the dark, I heard her quietly going from her bedroom to the bathroom. Bump, bump went her door.

Quietly a thought came into my mind. It started as a thought and quickly became a small fear.

Emma would driving herself to work and therefore she would be getting out of the car, in that big dark parking lot, all by herself.

Nope.

This will not do.

"Emma," I call, "Can you park close?"

"No."

"Do you know how to hold you keys when you walk alone in the dark?"

"No."

think.think. think.

'Well, one of us will just go with her, it's just too unsafe.' I think to myself as I ease my way down the stairs.

'Emma, what time are you planning on leaving?'

'5:40'

'Patrick, can you follow her there?'

'No problem.'

Oh good. She will be as safe as we can keep her.



We let go pretty well...
Emma is very mature and most of me knows she would have been fine this morning.

(By the look Emma gave me, I could tell that she felt she would have been fine.
But I just gave her an extra hug and sighed, "It just might not be safe.")



My mother's intuition kicked in this morning, in the dark, telling me to keep her safe.

And so she is...safe.

Tomorrow morning Emma will work at 5:00 am.
I will be driving her.

Do you think I need to get dressed?


Encourage one another,
Donna

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)