Behind LOCKED Doors...

It has got to be every mothers' fear to be separated from her children.  There is just something about not knowing where they are or what they are doing when we cannot see their sweet faces.  My heart aches for parents whose children are missing or have gone on to be with Jesus long before it was their time.  With that being said, I realize that my short story of the day seems incomparible to those who've endured much more difficult circumstances.  However, the fear that the adversary would have us all encounter came all to quickly to me today.
Without thinking anything of it, I stepped out in the garage this afternoon to grab a pack of diaper wipes off the shelf and to get each boys' riding toy (On these hot days, I dare not take the boys out in the heat!).  I hadn't made it to the shelf when I realized a cup must have fallen from the van and had created a very large ant mound in the garage!  I have a thing with ants, meaning I literally despise them, but they keep finding their way into my house.  Nevertheless, I ran back into the house to grab our ever-present-help-in-times-of-need ant spray, walked back out to the garage, and quietly closed the door behind me.

I sprayed with such determination, I was almost surprised that neither of the boys had tried to open the door and get to me.  When I'd finished the job, I got the wipes and the toys, and headed back to the door.  It was at that point, I realized I was in a mess.

There I was, in the dead of summer, locked inside the garage, outside of my house, with my two children inside.  I figured that maybe Samuel had grabbed the lock accidentally and did it, because if it'd been Daniel, he'd been screaming, "Yay, I did it!"  However, what blessed my heart (despite being scared to death) was the fact that Daniel did begin screaming soon thereafter.  He was yelling, "Mommy, where are you?  I skeered."  He was banging on the door trying to get himself to me. 

I was honestly in panic mode trying to figure out how I was going to get back in the house!  At the time, I didn't realize how easily that could have taken place, but it was hot and I couldn't see my boys!  I slowly told Daniel what to do.  I didn't think there'd be any way in the world my 2-year-old would listen to directions, but he did what he had to do.  He did exactly as I told him.  Within minutes, I was in the foyer, loving on Daniel.

Can you imagine how the Father feels to be separated from HIS children?  There are so many times I find myself way too far away from His presence, and I wonder how to get closer to Him.  It's not that difficult because God never is far away from us.  He will never leave us if we are saved by His grace.  However, our separation from Him must hurt God so deeply.  God's doors are open...  Do not lock yourself out.