The Chase

I didn’t realize he had seen a bright blue motorcycle parked outside the restaurant. We’d only been at the restaurant for a few minutes when my almost three-year-old grandson got away from me. Like lightning, he was running as fast as he could toward the busy parking lot on a mission to find that motorcycle.

Terrified for his safety, I started running after him, shouting, “STOP! STOP! CARS!”

But shiny blue motorcycles have a stronger pull on a little boy than a grandma’s desperate no!

Completely unaware of the danger surrounding him, my grandson darted out into the parking lot. A driver of a white pickup stopped just in time as our little boy ran in front of the truck, and then towards a busy street.

I reached him just before he got to the street, and I scooped him up in my arms with my heart pounding and tears of relief filling my eyes.

Friends, I know lots of parents and grandparents probably have similar stories of a toddler’s escape, but this felt like a matter of life and death to me like never before. I cuddled my precious grandson especially close the rest of that weekend before I had to head back home. And I whispered lots of silent, “Thank You, Jesus, for protecting him” prayers as I held him close.

Later, when I was at the airport waiting for my flight, I texted my friend about what happened. While texting, I was listening to a worship song called “Goodness of God”¹ and these lyrics began to play over me right when I shared about my desperate run . . .

I love You, Lord
Oh, Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up until I lay my head,
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

All my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me!
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me!

I’m so grateful that God’s goodness runs after us even when we don’t think we need His protection. He relentlessly pursues us when we try to chase our own “bright shiny motorcycles” that will harm us and distract us from Him and His guarding protection. That’s how much He loves us!

And can I just say that I will forever be grateful for the “miracle” of this almost 65-year-old grandma being able to run fast enough to catch my beloved grandson . . . just in time!

Forever His,
Judy

Friends, I’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and share how God has pursued you with His protection and unconditional love! And, I hope you’ll grab a copy of my book, The Loudest Roar: Living in the Unshakable Victory of Christ.

1. Credit for Goodness of God lyrics © So Essential Tunes, Capitol Cmg Paragon, Bethel Music Publishing, Shout! Music Publishing Australia. Songwriters: Jason David Ingram / Brian Johnson / Edmond Martin Cash / Benjamin David Fielding / Jenn Johnson ↩︎