A Leafy Canopy

During these hot summer months my time walking has been spent in the nearby Pawnee Prairie nature trails. These trails meander from Kellogg to Pawnee and from Maize to Tyler. Depending on the day and my mood, I can travel through grasslands, through cedar forests, deciduous woods, or along the banks of the Cowskin Creek.

 My walking gives me great exercise, a wonderful view, and an opportunity to clear my mind and come to that still, quiet place where I can talk with and listen to God.

Lately, I’ve chosen the trails that wander through the woods, where the overarching branches of the walnut, cottonwood, ash, and other trees provide a leafy canopy that protects me from the worst of the sun’s heat. Under this green canopy I find protection from the sun and enjoy temperatures ten to fifteen degrees cooler than the sunnier pathways.

As I walk, I listen for the telltale breaking of twigs or crashing through the underbrush that signals me to look for deer. (Earlier this week I saw five deer grazing, including two fawns with white spots still dotting their tawny coats!) As I walked on Monday, I heard a different sound, one I hadn’t heard before. At first I couldn’t place it, but then reality slowly dawned: I was hearing raindrops pattering on the leaves over my head. The rain was light and the leafy canopy caught all the drops; I didn’t feel one. All the green over my head protected me from both sun and rain. My protection wasn’t complete, of course. I was still hot on my walk and if it had rained harder, I certainly would have been soaked.

As I continued my walk, listening to the rain pattering overhead, I thought about God’s protection. He protects and shields us from the storms of life, but He doesn’t promise to remove them. Like a leafy canopy, He deflects the heat of life’s difficult moments and shelters us from life’s storms. But, just as I choose to walk in the shade on hot days, we also have choices. We can seek God’s refuge when life gets hot or stormy, or we can walk in the open, on our own. Which path will you choose?

Thank you, Father, for providing your children with a refuge from the storms of life.

Isaiah 25:4 “You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.”

Daniel

Reading from the book of Daniel this morning.

Daniel 2: 20-22

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”

Lord, you are an awesome God. Thank you for your wisdom and power, for all you do for each of your children.

Through the Psalms, 22

Through the Psalms

Psalm 22: 16-18

“Dogs surround me,

A pack of villains encircles me;

They pierce my hands and my feet.

All my bones are on display;

People stare and gloat over me.

They divide my clothes among them

And cast lots for my garment.”

This psalm of David is so painfully beautiful. Written approximately 1,000 years before Jesus’ time on earth, David prophesies his crucifixion. This is so astounding. We truly serve an amazing God.

God’s Embrace

Good morning! This short devotion first appeared in “The Secret Place.” Today, I’m happy to share it with you.

God’s Embrace

A tickle deep in my throat prompted me to leave the sanctuary during the sermon. I got a drink, coughed, and blew my nose where the noise wouldn’t disturb others. Standing outside the nursery, I heard several little ones crying. On an impulse, I opened the door, ready to help.

As soon as I walked in the room, a little cherub of 2 or 3 walked toward me with arms outstretched. I sat on the floor and she climbed into my lap and placed her head on my chest. After a few moments she got up and played with one of the toys. Soon she was back on my lap, ready for more snuggling. For the rest of the service, she didn’t say a word, but quietly cuddled.

I didn’t hear the sermon that morning. My sermon came in actions, not words. A little toddler reminded me that God will hold and comfort us whenever we walk toward him with arms open wide.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms….” Deuteronomy 33:26a (NIV)

Abba Father, let me be like the little child, my arms open wide to receive your comforting embrace.

How Do We Pray?

Good morning my friends. Here’s a quote from Joni Eareksen Tada for your contemplation.

“Yes, I pray that my pain might be removed, that it might cease; but more so, I pray for the strength to bear it, the grace to benefit from it, and the devotion to offer it up to God as a sacrifice of praise.”

The Hand of Jesus

Good Monday morning! I hope you have a beautiful day and are willing to take the Savior’s hand.

Thank you, Abba, Father, for always being willing to take my hand and offer assistance.