I was a “Duck and Cover Kid”. Back in the 1950’s our nation lived in fear of a nuclear attack from Russia. Precautions were put in place. Bomb shelters were built in backyards and stocked for survival. At school we learned to react to the warning bell by ducking under our wooden desks, covering our heads, and staying put until the all clear sounded.

Kids reacted differently to this drill. Some were genuinely frightened, believing that such an attack was imminent. Some welcomed any reprieve from classwork. Others of us chuckled privately about how our teacher, a woman of sizeable stature, would fit under her desk. (We never found out.)

Thinking back I’m wondering just how much protection that wooden school desk was expected to offer. Since little was known about radioactive fallout, many experts believed the greatest danger would be the force of the blast and the shattering window glass. “Duck and Cover” may have been woefully inadequate, but it was our feeble attempt to protect ourselves.

Our own efforts to protect ourselves often fall short. We take our lives into our own hands. Our planning, our preparation, our wisdom, our strength – in the end it’s all a feeble attempt.

Thank goodness we have a strong protector, one who is all-knowing and all-powerful, one who will be with us in any and every situation. The lyrics to this familiar hymn say it all:
“What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

leaning on the everlasting arms;

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.”

                                           Text Elisha Hoffman (1839-1929)
No need to duck and cover from your trials today. Look up; stretch out your hand. God is listening because He loves you. God loves you unconditionally.

Judy

For reassurance of God’s powerful protection, read Psalm 23: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23&version=NRSV