Franklin Graham: a Striking Illustration at a Baseball Game, of "God's Hand of Protection over His Children"

Aimee Herd : Mar 16, 2016
Washington Post

"I didn't have a whole lot of time to think about it. It was dad mode, you know, protecting my son. So I just did what I could." -Shaun Cunningham

Franklin Graham recently shared an article on his Facebook page with the following comment: (Photos: Christopher Horner/via Washington Post)

What a close call! A father took his son to a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves training game in Florida for his 9th birthday. A batter lost control and let the bat slip from his hand and in a split second it went hurtling toward the stands like a rocket. Just as the bat was about to reach his son's head, the father's hand reached out and intervened, blocking what could have been a lethal blow, just at the right moment. Incredible!
 
What an illustration this is of God's hand of protection over His children. How many times does He extend His loving arm to defend us from harm—sometimes when we're not even aware the danger is coming? I know that God has intervened for me many, many times in my life. I'm so thankful for the promise that "The LORD watches over you" (Psalm 121:5). Tell me—how has God watched over and protected you?
 
The photo says it all, as dad-Shaun Cunningham—in a split-second reaction—extends his arm to shield his young son, Landon from sustaining a direct hit by an errant bat.
 
Shaun was successful in protecting his son, as a Washington Post article points out, although in doing so, he ended up with a "deep bruise" on his arm, but his boy was safe.
 
The seconds-long action was captured by Pittsburgh Tribune-Review photographer, Christopher Horner.