Under His wings we are protected

BrendaBy Brenda Cannon Henley
“I get like a tigress when it’s about my kids,” wrote famed actress Meryl Streep. I did not get to read the entire interview, but I can only imagine that someone had attacked one of her offspring and that she did not like it very much at all. From some of the titles I read on printed media while waiting in grocery check out lanes, I am surprised that more mothers haven’t cried out or attempted to stop the printing of slanderous lies and innuendo that probably has little basis of truth.

All three of my children are grown and are leading busy lives helping others and contributing to society, and I have adorable grandchildren. From time to time, one or the other will come to me with some problem and ask my advice. I listen and I really do try to be objective because I know each of us human beings have our faults and we make mistakes. I objectively point out what he or she could do to help the situation or to make amends if they are in the wrong. Much of the time, they just need a sounding board or a shoulder and an ear. I value the time I get to spend with each one of them and am hopeful that nothing will ever change the bond I share. I miss the ones that live in Florida and wish we could spend more time together, but they are where they need to be in service.

As adults, we can be very protective of people we love and things we love. If we have a cause or a project that is dear to our hearts, it is our nature to try to protect and further it hopefully to help others along the way. When I returned home after Hurricane Ike, I realized that many friends and neighbors were literally missing and we had no real way of contacting them. Many of our older friends only had landlines and all of them were gone. I had cell phone numbers for some of our friends, but not nearly all and especially those in our very neighborhood where almost every house was destroyed and four people died. Finding people became a difficult and challenging chore. We wanted to share information and to help form lasting friendships among those that were left and those that were trying to find ways to return home.

I set out to find a way to determine if these friends were doing well after the storm and if they were in shelters or staying with relatives. I started a Yahoo group entitled Bolivar BLUE. While the members may fight and argue among themselves, the one thing we all had in common was our love of the Gulf of Mexico and our beautiful beaches. At 3:00 AM one day, I sat up in bed and declared, “I have it.” Ted sleepily said, “What do you have?” And I excitedly replied, “The name of the group. It is going to be Bolivar BLUE. The BLUE is an acronym for beach lovers united effectively.” He said, “Great, now go back to sleep.”

I named the group and we immediately gained a good many members and it helped us to keep in touch until folks could get home. We could share information from the county, our representatives, law enforcement, the insurance companies, the examiners and adjustors, and friends. Later, when Facebook exploded in growth, I created a page or site simply called The Bolivar Peninsula. It was wildly successful and we now have over 5,200 members. The really cool thing is that now with the over 5,000 members, we can reach many people that have a connection with the Peninsula with one post. And, each of those memberships often represents a family or a group, so it is helpful. As it is with any good thing, some people that are deeply hurt and have little to be excited about in their own life, want to tear the communication down. They bash other people’s points of view, talk badly about any experience they have, enhance the truth, and often hurl unkind words and nasty comments. We have 15 dedicated administrators that watch the site and monitor the behavior to help keep it to the standard for which it was created.

Let’s face it, folks. Working with people some days is just difficult. In office situations, plants and refineries, politics, schools, the food industry, and yep, in newspaper offices around the world, there are conflicts. People are individuals and think for themselves.

While I was entertaining these thoughts, someone sent me the photo I have asked the editor to use with this column. I am reminded that God loves us and holds us in the shadow of His protective wing just as this momma bird is doing and just as any parent would do.

While I was entertaining these thoughts, someone sent me the photo I have asked the editor to use with this column. I am reminded that God loves us and holds us in the shadow of His protective wing just as this momma bird is doing and just as any parent would do.

We wouldn’t want it any other way. Managing people is challenging and sometimes thankless, but we do it for the good outcome. We try to motivate, work together, and praise as is needed to get the job done and get it done well.

I was thinking one day this week that God looks down on His children and sees their behavior, the bad things in our hearts, and how we treat each other. Surely, even God must shake His head and yet, He continues to love us and wants us to do well.

“He will cover us with His feathers, and under His wings, shall thou trust. His truth shall be thy shield and buckler (protection).” – Psalm 91:4 Thank God for His protection and comfort when our hearts are broken and our spirits saddened.

(This article published 6/29/2015)

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, at
[email protected]

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