Shade and His Love Protect Me

Just as we must sit close enough to a tree to enjoy the benefits of its shade from the sun's scorching heat, so we must also position ourselves near to God if we desire His comfort, protection and deliverance. Lysa Turkurstd
Just as we must sit close enough to a tree to enjoy the benefits of its shade from the sun’s scorching heat, so we must position ourselves near to God if we desire His comfort, protection and deliverance. Lysa Terkhurst

James 4:8 Move your heart closer to God and he will come even closer to you.

I have always loved the expression that God is just a whisper away. That is so comforting that He is that close and always knows my heart. His continuous presence comforts me that when hard things happen in my life I am never alone. This in no way discounts the love and support of those who surround me and are there for me. Many are only a text or phone call away. Ronnie B. Is laying right beside me and is only a roll over away but knowing that I can pray and be heard by the One who shaped the world has an indescribable peace.

We all dread late night phone calls since others respect that we are snoozing and not to be disturbed. So when we get one of those calls our heart immediately begins to pound and we fear the worst news will be at the other side of that phone call. I have shared numerous times about the evening Ron and I got our worst call and my son was gone. The day before another mother told me how she got through losing her son and she put her hand up next to her face in a clenched fist as if she was grabbing a rope. That image got me through the next few years. Clinging to my faith with all my strength was what kept me from drowning in grief and fear for my other children.

Life gets busy and I step away from the shade of His presence. I need to more than pencil Him in and make the routine an unswayable part of my day. There is no way I would go about my day without brushing my teeth or putting on my bra. So why would I walk out into the world without time spent with Him? This past six months I have had my morning routine of coffee, Jesus and blogging. But when I just took a trip to Arizona I let that slip away. Sad news is that if I don’t have time to myself first thing in the morning I don’t come back to it later. I want His protection and comfort so I need to make that time sacred, unpenetrable by the world and life. People respect us when we excuse ourselves to use the restroom. They learn not to talk to some of us until we have had that first cup of coffee. I am sure they would also respect if I need a half hour or more to begin my day with Him.

I love that I have Tammy and others in my life who ask what is up when I don’t blog. Their simple reminder gets me back on track. Chances are if I haven’t blogged I haven’t done my Bible study either. For me that is not okay. I need His shade.

When we came back from Arizona we brought a chair from Ron’s mom’s house. It is the chair I fell in love with Ron 45 years ago. We were 17 and I was sitting across his lap in that chair. We were talking about our faith and just so relaxed with each other. I was overthinking a conflict with a friend. Ron said that Jesus was a simple man. That I just needed to pray, listen and let it go. His simple words have stuck with me over the years. I know that place was where I knew at such a young age that I would spend my life with this man. The reason I share that story is that chair is going to sit beside a window looking out on our neighborhood park. That is where I will sit with my coffee, Bible, and iPad to begin my day in the shade of His love. It just feels so perfect.

In Him,
Joyful
5-2-19’