They say ignorance is bliss, but I’m not so sure about that. I’ve had moments in life where I moved forward completely unaware of the dangers around me, and when I think back, it’s hard not to see God’s protective hand at work.
Years ago, when I lived in Northern California, I fell more in love with the outdoors. Long walks and hikes became my escape. The area had so much to offer, with trails winding through beauty that seemed untouched by time, or hilly neighborhoods on the edge of the wild with their beautiful homes. That was my happy place, especially after dealing with a teenager or a long day at the clinic where my mind would be full to bursting. On those walks, I practiced what I came to call “mindful walking”—the kind where you tune into every sound, every scent, every shift in the scenery.
I’d listen to the world around me. Whether it was others chatting in the distance or the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind, I loved immersing myself in the moment. Birdsong particularly fascinated me, and I’d try to identify the different calls as I went.
Once in a while, I’d hear a sharp, distinct sound. I couldn’t quite place it, but I’d think, “Wow, lucky me! A new bird I’ve never heard before!” It filled me with peace, wonder, and a quiet sense of gratitude. I mean, how amazing is it to experience something so simple and beautiful?
Well, here’s where things get interesting. It wasn’t until much later, years after I’d moved away, that I learned the truth about that “bird” I thought I was hearing. That sharp sound? It wasn’t a bird at all. It was the call of a mountain lion.
Yep, you read that right. A mountain lion.
Looking back, my stomach drops a little. There I was, walking completely relaxed, soaking in the beauty of nature, all while a potential predator wasn’t too far away. I shudder to think about how unaware I was of the danger. But more than that, I’m struck by how protected I was.
Isn’t life just like that, though? We go about our days, often without a care in the world, completely oblivious to threats that might be near us. Sometimes it’s danger we can’t see. Sometimes it’s trouble we don’t even recognize. It could’ve been a near-miss car accident, a health scare that turned out to be nothing, or a choice that spared us from consequences we didn’t know we were heading toward.
And yet, in those moments, God is there. Watching over us. Protecting us. Guiding us, even when we have no clue what we’ve been spared from.
It reminds me of Proverbs 15:3, which says, “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”
That verse sticks with me like a shield of reassurance. God isn’t just watching passively; He’s actively caring for us. He sees the threats we’re blind to and steps in, often in ways we can’t see or comprehend at the time. And while we may not always feel His presence in the moment, stories like my “bird” encounter remind me that He’s there, working in the background, keeping us safe and steady.
It’s humbling, isn’t it? To realize that so much of what goes on in our lives is outside of our control. We plan, we prepare, we try our best to handle what comes our way. But there are countless things we can’t predict, avoid, or even see. And in those gaps, God steps in. His grace and protection fill the spaces we can’t reach.
The next time you find yourself reflecting, I encourage you to think about moments in your life where things could’ve gone differently…but didn’t. Those near misses. Those moments of unexpected peace. Maybe, just maybe, God was working quietly behind the scenes, looking out for you the way He’s always promised.
His eyes are everywhere, and His love is unfailing. And for that, I’m endlessly thankful.
