So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
As I was getting ready for church, I had the TV on in the background listening with one ear to FOXNews. A couple of words caught my attention and I scurried into the bedroom to catch the segment on “Flat Daddies.”
Have you had the privilege of continuing the journey of “Flat Stanley?” If not, you might not have found the name ear-catching. I’ve received that big envelop a couple of times and enjoyed sending it on. According to their website:
The basic principle of The Flat Stanley Project is to connect your child with others by sending out “flat” visitors, created by the child, through the mail. Kids then talk about, track, and write about their flat character’s journey and adventures.
It’s a fun project for all. When I heard “Flat Daddies,” I was intrigued.
Their website reads: Flat Daddies and Flat Mommies are life-size photos of deployed service members provided to help children better cope with the separation they experience when a parent is away from home for long periods of time.
One of the mothers interviewed had Flat Daddy right beside her when she delivered her second child. It was especially meaningful because he lost his life on the battlefield never knowing he was going to have another child. Each child now has his own Flat Daddy in his bedroom and she mentioned that she hears her older son talking to him, on occasion.
Just like Flat Stanley, we are on a journey and at times, we may feel flat and deflated. I may not have a cardboard cutout of Him but I found myself talking a lot to my heavenly Daddy this week and reading His words back to me. I know He listens to me in the midst of my pain and panic. I particularly loved the part in today’s verse where it says that He will personally go ahead of me and never abandon me. What an encouragement!
Each day brings its challenges. As you head out the door, remember, “Be strong and courageous.” He’s right there with you.