One of my favorite books as a child was “I am a Bunny” by Ole Risom and illustrated by Richard Scarry.

I think my favorite part of the book was the bunny’s house, the hollow tree. It seemed so sturdy and safe.

When I’m in a terrifying place in my life I usually cry out to God for strength and comfort. It always helps for me to close my eyes and get some kind of picture in my mind and focus on that. Right after we found out my pregnancy was high risk, I was overcome with anxiety. I closed my eyes and saw Jesus, a shepherd in a white robe with his hand outstretched. He was strong and safe and His eyes were full of love. He said, “Come with me on this journey. Take my hand, accept this road I have given you to travel. Come on, I’ll be with you every step of the way. You can trust me.” And I would reach out and take His hand and He would scoop me up and carry me in His arms. It reassured me every time and going through that scenario was the only way I was ever able to fall asleep throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Now I am in a place of extreme pain and the most intense sorrow you can imagine. It is terrifying and so, so hard. I truly feel like I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death. I feel like there is a mighty storm raging all around me. For some reason, the image of Nicholas the bunny sleeping in his hollowed out tree comes to my mind now when I think about God. It’s the last page of the book from my childhood and it was always my favorite. His hollow tree looked so cozy and warm. Now, I imagine that God is the tree and I bury myself deep into Him. Outside there is a vicious storm that never stops; lightening, thunder, sheets of rain. He surrounds me with safety and warmth and love while the wind howls around me and the storm of my life rages on. This is how I usually fall asleep now, imagining myself curled up, deep in the shelter of the Almighty and it comforts me.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.