"Brakes = Stop. . . Gas = Go!"

I didn't get to Blog, as normally would have, last weekend due to the fact of one sick husband. That and the fact that I need an empty house or a silent house to write in both of which I did NOT have. :) So here I am this weekend instead and I want SO very much to bring an encouraging, inspirational, motivating and a "real me" story to share with you and I'm just not sure where God is leading me to write at this point. Ah well.

For any new readers I may have simply know that I am NOT a dogmatic religious preacher type of some sorts. Although alot of my Blogs have to do with spirtual matters and concerns and are mostly about God's sovereign control, His great love for us no matter what and His ability to see us through anything....I am a real person with real stories to share as well. :) I am me who wants to encourage YOU! And anything I may have felt, experienced, or lived through to help you just makes it all the more better.

As I sit here and think of which to write about. . . two things come to mind. . . . The end of the world as some believed would happen and God's protection.

I can certainly sum up the first in a brief account! Matthew 24:36 "NO ONE knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." vs 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." vs 44 "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him."

Are you ready?
If unsure, know that you can KNOW!

A= Accept that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour!
B= Believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead!
C= Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and call upon Him to save YOU!

As for God's protection. . .who of us hasn't seen that all around us at certain times?!
I'm sure that God's protection in our lives shows up in all different ways. . .even unseen ways that we were never even aware of. The number of "things" we have been protected from throughout our life will never really be fully known. We most likely would be absolutely astonished, to say the least, should we know!

Everyday as parents we must trust in that protecting hand of God to lead our children safely through this world. There isn't a day goes by that I'm not relying on Him to protect my children from all the evilness of this world.....and yet there are times He allows what I do not understand.....but yet I trust Him. Please know that it isn't MY trust that allows me to do this, but HIS trust He places in me to trust Him. A circle of life I would call it....we seek it, He gives it, so that we can put it back in Him. Sometimes we call out for more trust, but yet He gives simply what is needed, when is needed. There are SO many stories throughout my life I could try to recall and share of God's protection, as well you. But I will choose to share 2 today.

Recently Savannah told David and I about a park that was great for walking and running. By the way, anyone living in Kingwood and doesn't know about East End Park on Kingwood Dr needs to find out about it!! It's absolutely GORGEOUS and YES great for walking, running or even sitting! <Sidenote>  :)
She started running there with a friend, but soon was going alone in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. David and I went there to check it out, and as BEAUTIFUL as it was, I also noticed how secluded it could be as well for a young, good looking girl, running alone. I voiced my concerns about it to David and he, being the man I admire so much with his rock solid faith, simply said "She's fine. No, we don't need to tell her to stop running alone. Wherever God is she is safe and God is everywhere." Now that may not sit well with some of my readers, but that's ok. I choose to live a life of faith - not always seeing, but knowing God IS in control and there is NOTHING I face that He is not with me.
Back to my story - as I choose to accept his words I resolve to not worry about her. Later, as Savannah is talking with me, I learn some encouraging news! First, I must tell you that this had to be God leading her to share this with me because otherwise....it wouldn't have been shared. She told me as she was running that morning a lady with her dog was running also. Savannah and the lady kept leap frogging each other throughout the trails. At one point the lady had passed her only to now be coming back in the opposite direction. She had taken her ear phones off and was making a noticable attempt to talk to Savannah. As she did she said "Run with me." As they continued on down the trail, the lady told her that there was a strange man out there that day and was not recognizing him. Once they had gone so far together the lady then tells Savannah "Ok...you can go now. I was just more concerned about you."
SEE! God's protection right there!! An angel....maybe.....but evenso most likely not....HE places whom He will in our lives to SHOW that protection at any given time! It didn't require Mom to say "Absolutely NOT! You are NOT going alone out in those woods to run and risk yourself to who knows what!!" No....it just took a quiet resolve to say "Yes, alright God....I trust you once again to take care of what I cannot." And He does.

Another incident of God's protection would be when my sweet son had what would be his first wreck....in my car. Yes, even before we got to the part of him actually acquiring the much coveted license, he encountered what Mom says his first and last wreck. I'm praying this boy does not follow in his sister's footsteps of driving MISSHAPS and capabilities!! O me.   Without going into too many humiliating details, I will tell you if you've ever heard of someone forgetting, at a moments time, which is the brake and which is the gas....it DOES indeed happen. Let me stop and brag on this boy who has done amazingly well at the fine art of driving! He drives us around town, out of town, night driving, you name it and does an exceptional job. But on this certain occassion .... he slipped. As we were turning into a parking space, he hit the GAS instead of the brakes causing us to go right up and over a curb, through some bushes that we literally plowed down, and onto a water line causing it to break into and sending LARGE amounts up and over our car. It was one of those situations where even Dad sitting in the front seat with him couldn't react quick enough to pull the emergency brake. We just kept going and going. At this point we are unsure if his foot actually ever left the gas pedal. We were all fine, just shook up ..... and stuck. The car had high centered onto the curb and grass....in other words we weren't going anywhere for a bit. My poor son felt downright awful and was visibly sorry as well as shaken up. I couldn't help but feel badly for him. Who cares if my car has two cracks on it now....I'll wear them with a smile of remembering how God protected us from what could have been so much worse! I say that because this could have happened at an intersection, at home going through a garage door, a pedestrian walking in front of our car.....any number of situations that could have resulted with so much greater consequence. I will also tell you that God sent 2 very KIND hearted men from 2 different cars to come and help us in our dilemma. One such man even had the knowledge of how to redirect the water line back into the ground somehow so that it wouldn't be spewing wildly over the parking spaces and drive. He and his wife even went the extra mile of getting us a phone number for the water dept to report it and made sure all was well before they left. God not only sends His protection, but sometimes He even adds over and above with it too!

There are countless verses of God's protection throughout the Bible. There are two that I have recently posted on my status' that I find fitting.

"The Lord Himself goes before you & will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help & our shield."

My favorite verse in the entire Bible also talks about it "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strenghten you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." And lastly I leave these verses with you - "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber..... The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalms 121: 2-8

 

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God....for He is protecting us through it as we go!

 

I truly hope that I have followed God's leading here in sharing with you today. I am trusting Him to use it however He sees fit.

 

Be encouraged my friend and know that God cares.....and so do I ! :)