Recently I took my kids to a lake that I grew up going to with my family. Little by little they waded into the water, until they were happily swimming up and down the roped-off area. A couple other youngsters swam in and out of the area we were in, talking and laughing along with us. One little girl, we’ll call her Jesse, latched on and stuck with us for a couple hours.

We made small talk and chatted about what foods we liked and didn’t like. She showed us tricks she could do, like underwater handstands and how long she could hold her breath. We smiled and cheered her on. Then we decided to swim out deeper, so the kids could touch the buoys on the rope. Her face fell when she realized she couldn’t swim that far solo and didn’t have an adult to accompany her. We figured it out and she took my hand, scared but wanting to conquer the challenge. She did it, minor freak-out and all.

When we got back into a shallow spot, she asked if we wanted some burgers.

“My mom’s boyfriend is making some, and we can share them,” she said happily. “But just not to strangers. I can only share with people I know. Not strangers. Cuz you know, stranger danger!”

I hid my surprise behind a smile.

Oh sweetheart, we are still strangers!

I tried not to show her my pain for her, having watched over the course of the morning how her mom was more interested in her boyfriend than her daughter. Her mom’s actions were not unnoticed by this sweet six-year-old girl.

But it got me thinking, as most things do.

Are there times in my life as a believer that I am happily into a situation or sin, unaware that I am supposed to be estranged from it? Am I looking for bigger, more obvious signs of “stranger danger” before taking necessary precautions?

Maybe it’s the small outburst of anger that I rationalize; it wasn’t that bad, I didn’t yell that loud.

Or a little white lie; literally everyone exaggerates. Literally. everyone.

Maybe it’s an extra nag here and there for my husband; he hates when I nag, but…

What is my standard? Is my standard what the rest of the world is doing, or even what my Christian friends are doing?

My standard should be the Word of God and how He tells me to live my life. Little sins add up quick on a slippery slope, and He tells us to flee them altogether. Don’t even get comfortable with them.

When we are tempted in the small things, let’s remember this verse:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14

May even the smallest thoughts and actions be pleasing to Him; may we love what He loves, hate what He hates. He is our strength, and our Redeemer!

And if you think of it, please lift Jesse up in prayer. God knows her by name - her mama and mama’s boyfriend too. Please pray that He will turn each of them to Himself, that they will repent of their sins and be given everlasting life. Pray that they will soak up His Word and thrive. Thank you. :)