WATCHWORD:
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psalm 91:1-4
Meditation:
Feeling Safe
Feeling safe is the doorway to happiness. How can one be happy if you are experiencing anxiety, fear? We long for safe places. Remember yesterday when you were in peaceful safety and did not worry about an unseen evil? Remember? Well, that peace that you felt, that safety you told yourself that you rested upon? Those all came from our Lord and Savior and He is right there, still all around you, pouring out graces, protecting you, providing that safe place.
Safety does not depend on our conception of the absence of danger or threat of any kind. Safety is found in God’s presence, in the center of His perfect will. Psalm 91 tells us that He will guard us at all times of the day and night. You can rest in His arms and know that while we sleep, and breath, and work our way through each day, He is watching over us.
Years ago, I was hiking in the Collegiate Range of the Rockies in Colorado. It was an idyllic day, just warm enough, the bluest sky I had ever seen. I had a sense of peace as I hiked up a trail that led to a pastureland, hoping to see moose or deer. A perfect day.
But then, there in the trail, someone had lost a hunting knife. Just a little 8-inch knife with a beautiful handle, very sharp. I picked it up and hiked on, admiring it. But, now my mind was doing other things. Images, born of funny comments made by my nephew, came to mind about encountering a crazed bear, or a pack of wolves on my hike, except now, not so funny. Another thought; why did fate place this knife in my hand? I managed to play that out and the perfect day was lost in my own fears. I never did reach that pasture. I turned around and with fearful heart headed back to my car. I encountered no bear, no threat of any kind. The sky was still blue, the mountain air was still refreshing and yet my sense of peace was gone.
We sabotage our own sense of peace with mind games, of dire consequences. We read and take solace in the fact that God is our safe place, he is our protector, he watches over us, we trust Him. Yet…Those mind games? The voice of the evil one, messing with our God-given peace of mind.
Happiness is not a product of clear-blue skies, or pure mountain air, beautiful vistas, crystal-clear streams, these are God-given and lead to Joy. We have our own moments, you and I, maybe by a lake, at a sunset, the hand that slips into your own, words spoken just for you, the calmness that comes with prayer, the inner joy that comes from reaching out to others…Wow, do God’s graces ever end? No. Sacred moments, gifts from the Almighty. Moments of miracle, everyday moments, Divine appointments.
Remember, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. Get that? Those who live in the shelter (within the Word). How about “Those who trust in the Lord shall renew…” You know the answer to the question “What must I do to earn eternal life?” It is all the same answer. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, and ignore the contrarians. There are no bears. Those wolves? They’re just little puppy dogs.
From Poet Laureate Mac:
The Old Rocking Chair
The old rocking chair sits; gathering dust, in the far corner of the family room.
It sits there patiently waiting for another baby to come into bloom.
No one knows how many generations the old rocking chair has rocked to and fro
It’s been passed from one family to the next, it’s impossible to know.
Mothers all agree it has mystical powers to cure colic, stomach aches, and such.
Seems to take all three, God, the rocker, and the love of Mother’s touch.
Whenever a new family babe is born then the rocking chair is reborn.
Grandma rubs it down with oil and gives a luster to all parts that are worn.
Grandpa carefully wraps it in an old sheet and delivers it to the mother’s care.
Mother holds the babe next to her breast, rocking in a time only she and the baby know.
The rocker sings with creeks and cracks and she and Gods love doth flow.
The baby lies there absorbing this perfect love and gently falls to sleep.
Mother praises God for this life he has entrusted to her care and keep.
Mac 2009
Bulletin Board:
Watchword — Stay the course. Mask. Find peace at home. Call a friend, or a stranger. Text encouragement. E-mail a happy thought. God is blessing you, tell us here, use this chalkboard. Share. Let us rejoice with you.
Stan — I was amazed how God touched me through a little bird. Never limit God’s voice or His message carriers.
Closing Prayers:
O Blessed Jesus,
give me stillness of soul in You.
Let Your mighty calmness reign in me.
Rule me, O King of Gentleness,
King of Peace. Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
we know that you love each one of us as
If there was only one of us.
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand. Amen.
