But later in the day, I experienced a much bigger, more amazing reason to be thankful. Our little Rigby decided to take himself for a swim at Grandma Gora's...the key words being to take himself. He wandered off on his own (something new he's been doing)...opened the gate, took his backpack up to the pool (which contained his bathing suit...although he didn't bother to change out of his clothes), and then climbed on in for a swim. No floaties...no life jacket...no idea what he was about to do. We all cringe at the very thought, right?
Somewhere around that same time Grandma was looking for him in the back yard and just happened to glance over at the pool to see little Rigby bobbing in the water. I cannot imagine what terror must have torn thru her heart at that moment to see him in there...treading water in the middle of the pool all by himself. Grandma rushed to his rescue of course...thank you a million times Maureen. I am so thankful for that moments glance. So thankful. I cry each time I think of it and praise God that she saw him at that second. Who knows, a few seconds later and he could have sank and gone unnoticed until it was too late. We don't know how long he was in there, but it was long enough for him to struggle from the edge into the middle of the pool. Grandma said his little arms and feet were kicking and paddling like crazy and only his little face was sticking out of the water.
Grandma Gora cried as she told me what happened today...she said that an angel must have been holding him up. I pondered on this all evening, and really, there's no other explanation since Rigby is only two and cannot even swim. I'm reminded of Psalm 91:11-12 "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..." Awesome, right? I've read this Psalm a few times tonight (read the whole thing, it's awesome), and my heart just screams praise out to God for his mercy and the way he loves and protects us. I know that we are not spared from all heartache or disaster in this life just because we love God...in fact sometimes it's thru the fire that God refines us. I know that as well as anyone. But tonight I'm overwhelmed with the truth that God rescues us and protects us in ways we do not see or even think possible. My friend Liz reminded me of the story of Daniel when he was thrown into the lions den...Daniel said, "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions." Daniel 6:22. Also awesome. Thank you God...thank you for loving Rigby as you loved Daniel...that we are held in such a place in your heart that you send your angels to attend us and protect us. "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 1:14. I am amazed that God cares for us in this way, and that's why I decided to blog about this. I do not want to forget this special window into God's love for us.
Derek told me tonight while we were lying in bed trying to wrap our heads around all of this, that today we lost our home sale, but were spared Rigby's life. That's a lot to process for a Tuesday if you ask me. Losing our home sale doesn't seem like too much of a big deal anymore. Not in comparison. Not at all. And now I think I have a little better perspective on true thankfulness than I did this morning. We have a lot to be thankful for at 509 Wildflower Way...that's for sure.
