His Eye is on the Sparrow

And He watches over me and my family…..

We were recently at our friends’ place, which they call The Lord’s Camp. Our girls were with their two friends. They went into the pool together while I was watching them in the front porch. I got distracted when our friends (the owners) arrived though, and I went inside. So I think at that point, all the adults were inside the house. But the girls are able swimmers and I knew the little one was safe with them. A possibility of an accident did not even cross my mind. But I did go back out right away. As soon as I stepped out the door, I heard splashing and a tone-less

“Help.”

I saw Gianna moving her arms in the water, looking like she was pretending to need help. I even got annoyed and commented that it’s not funny. I set my stuff down and looked up again. I saw her face. She didn’t laugh or smile. I saw fear and focus. She was keeping her head above water.

I ran and jumped in to get her. She had no floaties on. She was maybe half a foot away from the last step of the pool stairs, where she could no longer reach the floor. I carried her and hugged her. She had swallowed some pool water. She coughed and coughed and coughed and tried to take breaths in. While I kept clapping her back and, though gently, kept asking her what happened. 🤦🏻‍♀️ (Sorry, love, mommy was scared.) She shook her head no to each scenario I suggested.

When she could finally speak, she said through coughs still, that the water pushed her off the last step. She said she tried to get back but couldn’t. And then she looked at me. I encouraged her to go ahead and cry. She did. 😢

Oh my heart! I comforted her and prayed for her. I got her floaties and put them on her arms, and I changed into my suit so I could stay with her. I was also so proud of her for treading! She is an untrained swimmer but somehow she was able to keep herself from going under. I guess I focused on that and the fact that God made me see and hear her in time. God saved us.

I only cried it out the following morning and sought comfort from the hubby. I cannot even bear to imagine the what ifs!!! I am utterly grateful that though it was a tad traumatic and I was paranoid about dry drowning later in the day, the events that happened did not escalate the way they could have. And to think, I learned in the evening, that she said “help” twice and I only heard her once!

When I close my eyes, I do not have to see an unconscious child needing CPR. I do not have to relive the panic and fear in going to the emergency room. I do not have to grieve the death of my youngest daughter. Though my heart races and I take deep breaths as I remember all these, I cannot thank God enough that He saved us.

He saved us in The Lord’s Camp. And He still gave us an enjoyable, restful time there. I will remember it as a beautiful day. Such is the grace of our God! His eye is on the sparrow and He watches over us indeed. ❤️

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm —
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore. Psalm 121