While on our way to the supermarket earlier this morning,  we rode past the local elementary school, and when we stopped at the cross walk I noticed children jumping rope.  I smiled to myself and in my mind I saw myself  doing the same thing as if it were yesterday!  I saw it so clearly, my hair in a long pony tail, my favorite red shorts on and my polka dot blouse.  I saw my red sneakers with white anklets with delicate lace around the cuff, and could see me and my friends jumping rope. 

Innocent days of cotton candy, jelly apples, the Good Humor man and Mister Softee in my neighborhood.  Sitting on my porch on a hot summer day, with my “Beagle Candy,” and eating chocolate ices; and walking to the store to buy my comic books running all the way home to read them on my wrap around porch, way in the corner!   It was great times, fun times and “feeling so protected times.”

By “feeling so protected” I mean by being so young, and feeling that my dad and my mom would never let anything happen to me.  The feeling of getting into my bed, and knowing my parents were in their bedroom, close by, and wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me.  They were always there for me, always protecting me, and always watching out for me, teaching me, guiding me, loving me. No worries, no anxieties, nothing but peace and happiness.

And, then I realized that all of those things my dad and mom did for me, my Father in heaven has done all along.  Protecting me, watching out for me,  keeping me our of harms way, teaching me, guiding me, loving me; and with all of that going on 24/7, there is an inner peace…no anxieties, nothing but peace and happiness. The Lord is beautiful, and he is in all things of beauty surrounding us with His love.

In retrospect, all my life I was being led by the Spirit, there was always a natural discernment.  The pieces of my “life puzzle” all coming together at different times, for different occasions;  and God was always there to help me with an additional “piece” to complete another journey of my life.

He was always here with me, He is still here with me, and He will never change or diminish in His character, or His harness of protection towards me.  He is my God, my Lord of Lords, my one true love.

The time I didn’t get the job I wanted, a better one showed up a week later.  The time I didn’t get the house we wanted, a better one showed up a month later.  He always knows what is best, and if we hold on to His hand, and walk in His ways, we can always be sure that He will take care of the rest.

So from my “jump rope Barbie doll playing days”…through my teens,  into young adulthood, and now in my “ahem” mature adulthood days; I am ever thankful to God and for all of His love and protection. 

My life is His plan, and He orchestrates it and I move to His music, and His voice.  I embrace all the years past, the years present, and the years to come;  until I am called home to rejoice with my loved ones that passed on, and to live with my Father in heaven.  But most important, I am so thrilled to know that His love will be with me forever.

Now, How amazing is that?

 

Micah 6:8  “What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”   

 To be a good Christian requires more than personal devotions and a warm feeling inside. We need to show the world daily what He does inside of us-and do it by examples based on humility, kindness and love.

Michah 7:7 “I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.’

Whether we like it or not, waiting on God is a huge part of our walk of faith.  We need to trust God and wait for God to do the rest.

Micah 7:18 “Who is a God like You, pardoning inquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?”

God was never at any time under any obligation to forgive our sins, or our multitude of iniquities.  We do not deserve His grace or mercy; but He loves us unconditionally, and thus sent His son to die for our sins.  Who, I ask you, is a God like that?  

Blessed is your name Lord, we adore you, and we give you thanks~

 I love you Lord – Forever and Always…Amen~