Protection . . .

Bike Helmets . . . Seat Belts. . . Alarms . . . Skid Warning . . . Fire Alarm . . . Childproof Caps . . . Car seats . . . Wedding Rings . . . Caution Tape . . . Pilot Cars . . . Traffic Signals . . . Good Friends . . . Designated drivers . . . Life Jackets . . .

It seems there are many things in place in life to protect us.  But it was interesting to me today as I was thinking how many of those things are in place to protect us from ourselves.  From bad choices we may make. . . .  From poor judgment calls. . . .  Driving too fast. . . . Taking a turn too fast . . . Not noticing a "bump" in the road . . . Forgetting to shut off an oven burner . . .  Being where you shouldn't be . . . Meeting the pavement headfirst when you fall. . . Reminders of promises made . . .

I took a back road across some BLM this week.  It is a pretty good road, but dirt and gravel.  Better than many roads we traveled in Mongolia.  My truck has a warning bell I hadn't noticed much before.  I have noticed that my truck REALLY wants me and the passenger to always have our seat belts on.  It dings at me for about 30 seconds telling me that.  Sometimes if I have my purse in just the wrong spot in the passenger seat it Bings at me.  A little annoying . . . but really it is for my safety!  But the alarm I hadn't heard much before was a skid warning.  It binged at me several times on this BLM dirt road trip.  I guess my truck thought I should slow way down for corners on gravel and was letting me know.  It was kind of a funny thing.  My truck was trying to protect me from myself.  Did I listen?  Kind of.  I did slow down some places.  Others I knew it was not a big deal.

Today my family realized again how much and how many things are in our lives to protect us from ourselves.  How easy it could be or would be or is to go down that slippery road of despair.  My Grandpa has been doing good - kinda - this week, but today feeling again that he was in a place he could not get out of.  So dark.  Scary. No one wants to be there. So for the next couple of days he is in the hospital where he can get some help.  Where people who love him can watch over him.  Can help him to be safe.  Can hopefully help him to listen to the BING . . . BING . . .  of the alarms going off that will help him to get his feet back under him.   Get to the safe place where his happy self is.

But just as any other method of protection . . . You have to choose to use it.  Put on the bike helmet before you crash.  Have the Kevlar vest on whenever you are on duty.  Change the battery in your fire alarm. Wear your life Jacket.  All these things need to be in place before the crisis.  If you wait to put your seat belt on until you are going down the road at 65 mph headed for the ditch it will not help!  If I choose to ignore the warnings . . . the protection offered . . . I have to suffer the consequences of that choice.  So look for the warnings that are there for your protection.  And accept the help!