He watches over me...and you

I lift up my eyes to the hills—

    from where will my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth. 

He will not let your foot be moved;

    he who keeps you will not slumber.

He who keeps Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

    he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep

    your going out and your coming in

    from this time on and forevermore. Psalms 121

It has been a while since I have posted anything. I am doing fine and have been learning many "lessons", but did not feel to share...not until this one. Protection, security, assurance, all very comforting words when it pertains to your well being, especially in this day and age. Those words are very important and special to me, and concerns me more times than others. I had never lived on my own until 14 years ago when my husband passed; it was something that I had never planned to do and certainly something that I never wanted to happen...but it did. But this is not a *sob* story, but one of victory, so don't turn me off yet.    :-)

I grew up in a loving family and home, a father, a mother and siblings. I left home to attend college, but had 2 loving roommates (girls, dorms were not co-ed back then thank God!) and then I married and lived in  a wonderful home with my husband and son. I had ALWAYS had someone there for me. I remember thinking back then "if something would ever happen to my husband, I don't know what I would do!"  Then there was the time after he had passed and I said to myself "I hope that I never lose electricity at night in a winter storm!"  Well you guessed it!  It happened! Raging storm, all the electricity went out, dark of night and after I panicked what did I do? I quickly figured out that I had 2 choices; frantically run out into the storm or trust that God was with me and would be my protector...I did the latter and got in bed and went to sleep...

That experience was among many, but I believe that it was a pivotal time for me...I began to learn how my Father God is my protector.  I am sure that many of you can account for times when things that should have happened, somehow didn't and the only way to explain it is that someone bigger than you or I was watching over us. Some people believe that it is their deceased loved ones. I do not see the truth of that in God's Word, however I do see that He, God Himself is our protector and watches over us and He dispatches angels to our aid. (Psalms 91:11)  So how do we explain when adverse things DO actually happen...in a nut shell, I don't know, but what I DO know is that God loves us and I praise Him for the times that He has shown me how He has protected me from danger and harm. He loves us and as I have said before, some things we may never understand here on earth, but God is the same yesterday, today and forever and never leaves us.

I posted something on Facebook the other day that I borrowed from someone else about the "Pity Train", it was so funny because I could so relate. In fact I was riding that particular train...more specifically the SELF PITY train just the other day when I began to "see" the light.    :-)

I began to be concerned about getting older and who would care for me in my old age. Where would I live? Who could I call if I needed someone? (those commercials about "I've fallen and can't get up" doesn't help the matter either!) You know, all the questions that make you want to throw in the towel and turn into a blubbering wreck!  Legitimate concerns, but I knew that this was not coming from God because it did not encourage me, only discourage me...sure sign! 

Aha!
Once I shook myself and realized who the instigator was of those feelings...I felt impressed to read the above Psalms 121 and it was a reminder of WHO is looking out for me; and  there it was right there...God Himself is looking out for me! And honey He doesn't even sleep nor slumber!  So it's 24/7 protection, better than ADT, Guardian or any other alarm system (of which I have one)!  Should I use wisdom? Of course, but ultimately I have to believe and trust that God is in control and is leading and watching over me. Takes a whole lot of pressure off.

No matter how old that I get, I am still learning about this walk of life, and most importantly about my Father God...and I like it that way. I pray that I never become one of those people that think they know it all and if you ever see me being that way, you have my permission to kick me in the tush...gently please. :-)

After my private lesson with the Lord on "Who Is My Protector", I believe that I am finally getting it. God uses people to give us confidence and security...He used my loving parents; my father that was a strong, affectionate provider, my mother who was loving and nurturing; my college roommates that showed me true friendship and camaraderie and then my precious husband that lovingly gave me not only physical protection but also was my godly marital covering. So you see when I needed all those things, God in His faithfulness had them in place. And you know what? He has not skipped a beat, He is graciously allowing me to see that ultimately HE is my all in all,  HE is Whom and all we need. He IS watching over us...

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence.

He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

Only with your eyes shall you look,

And see the reward of the wicked. 

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.  PSALMS 91:1-11