A few years ago we adopted a litter of cats to save them from being euthanized. Soon after, my daughter Jennifer who was 13 at the time, franticly phoned me while I was in town on business. As she sobbed my first thought was something had happened to my wife. Then she cried out that one of our kittens had been attacked by a bobcat. We live in an area that has lots of wildlife, and it is not unusual to also be visited by predators such as coyotes, bears, and snakes among other less threatening wild creatures.
I returned home to find that the kitten had expired. Now the litter that we intended to be outdoor pets had suddenly become indoor pets! We needed to be more diligent in protecting them from predators. Our family probably errs on the side of doing too much for our pets. Not unlike taking a dog for a walk, we take our cats outside for fun visits to the great outdoors. We now realize that a predator may be nearby at any moment, so to protect the cats, a family member stays with them while they are outdoors. In fact, just yesterday we had another near attack as a bobcat had stealthily approached one of our cats at a distance of about ten feet. My daughter intercepted the predator and chased it away.
Protecting Children From Predators
How much more do we need to protect our children from predators? The wolves are numerous and they may strike at any time! Your children are born sinners and are open to attacks from the enemy at any moment. The wise shepherd was with His sheep in the valley of the shadow of death, and parents need to follow suit with their children.
Jesus was with His disciples constantly until His disciples were trained. Even then He didn’t send them out alone, He sent these grown men out in twos. Would He expect anything less with our children?
“After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.” (Luke 10:1-3).
Like Jesus With His Disciples, Be Present
Your physical presence is the best way to protect your children from predators. Keep your lambs with you, and they will have the best protection available.
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