Standing Guard

I saw the small head and long slim neck emerge from the tall grass. Then the goose stepped out into the open and stood still. Another head emerged, then another and another. Slowly the whole family, Mamma, Papa and four almost fully grown goslings trooped out of their hiding place and settled on the grassy bank. One of the adults (I’m assuming it was the Papa) stayed alert, his neck extended, his eyes ever-watchful while the others pecked at the grass and seemed to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

It wasn’t long before they were interrupted by a wandering dog. The watchman – or should I say watchgoose? – squawked loudly and herded his brood back down the bank and into the safety of the pond.

What a clear illustration, I thought, of how our Heavenly Father watches over us. He is always alert, never wavering from his responsibility to guard and protect. I love Brian Doerksen’s song, You Shine that says – “ Why should I lose heart, When I know how great you are? Why should I give up, When Your plans are full of love?”

That song encourages my heart because I do know how great God is and I believe his plans for me are full of love. And knowing that God is watching over me just like that papa goose gives me a sense of security that allows me to go about my business, the business the Lord has given me to do, without worry or stress.

The scripture tells us that there is a “cloud of witnesses” around us and therefore we should “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1,2).

Sometimes knowing others are watching can make us feel uncomfortable and even prevent us from doing out best, but knowing the “cloud” and the One who is watching us has nothing but our good at heart leads us to greater heights than we could have imagined.

Are you feeling discouraged? Look up. Look at that cloud. Look at that beaming face of our Lord, and keep on running.
****

Marcia Lee Laycock writes from central Alberta Canada where she is a pastor's wife and mother of three adult daughters. She was the winner of The Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone and her second novel, A Tumbled Stone was recently short listed in the contemporary fiction category of The Word Awards. Marcia also has two devotional books in print. Her work has been endorsed by Sigmund Brouwer, Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and Mark Buchanan.  

Abundant Rain, an ebook devotional for writers can be downloaded here. Visit Marcia's website

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Hazards

Today's guest devotion is by Cynthia Ruchti, from: His Grace is Sufficient…Decaf is Not © 2011 Summerside Press

Hazards

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.” Psalm 138:7           

With the agility of a woman half my age—okay, a third. Let’s give that woman a true advantage—I nimbly stepped over the trip wire, then pivoted to avoid the camouflaged danger designed to maim. I pulled out my Lamaze breathing to slow my heart rate. Stay calm. Stay…calm.

Balancing on one foot, I leaned forward, my arms a tightrope walker’s pole. Adjusting here. Steady. Safely over another obstacle. But there was no relaxing yet. Metal and ball bearings—a dangerous combination—lay between me and an oasis of relative safety.

What was that? Quicksand? Great. Resist the urge to struggle. Slow movements. Muscles taut, I grabbed the arm of the couch with one hand and the end table with the other. Yes! Free from the gauntlet of dangers, I scraped PlayDoh off the bottom of my Nikes and headed for the kitchen to make lunch for the grandkids.

I’d successfully dodged Matchbox cars, marbles, Legos, and Mr. Potato Head parts. But the kitchen wasn’t the safe haven for which I’d hoped. And hopped. One grandson knelt on all fours on the floor, eating Cheerios from a bowl he pretended was a dog dish.

Another grandson found the ice cream pail of birdseed. The gallon size. He’s grown so clever, that boy. I didn’t know he’d learned how to pop the lid off an ice cream pail, or that he was so skilled at pouring.

In some cultures, the pattern of birdseed piles on the hardwood floor would count as art. But birdseed is slippery piled up like that. One more obstacle to navigate. Distracted from the danger, I briefly wondered if the blue jays and goldfinches at the birdfeeder would mind if their dinner had been swept off the floor.

The sound of the river swelled to a roar. What a minute. There’s no river in the bathroom. My mistake. 

There is now.

Some days, life’s obstacles are no more threatening than hidden Legos and PlayDoh landmines. Other times, the ring of the telephone is the emotional equivalent of a tornado warning or tsunami alert. The tests don’t look good. We’ll have to schedule a biopsy. This is the last resort. I’m sorry we couldn’t do more. It’s time to gather the family. Time for some tough decisions. All we can do now is try to keep her comfortable.

Those calls have come, with varying outcomes, too many times in the last few years. Always, they were accompanied by a miracle. We either skirted the danger or were carried through it. What a rush it is to feel the grip of Grace around us as God dodges threats we can’t even see. We may be dizzied by His maneuvers, but we’re held.  

Today’s Prayer: Lord God, I can’t imagine what’s hiding in the carpet of this day, this week, this year. All I know is that You know, and that’s enough. Together, we’ve crossed some frightening territory, haven’t we? You’ve proved your faithfulness in every episode. I was healed or held. Or both. Thank You, Lord. Make me as agile as You are, light on my feet and light in my heart while we run this gauntlet called life. 

Cynthia Ruchti writes and produces the drama/devotional radio broadcast, The Heartbeat of the Home. She is editor of the ministry's Backyard Friends magazine, the author of a novel and novella recognized with nominations for Reviewers' Choice, Retailers' Choice, and Readers' Choice awards, and speaks for women's groups and writers' events. Visit her Website at www.CynthiaRuchti.com

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