PROTECTED
Gayle Rodgers ~

The little family of geese waddled across the road.  One adult led the way and the four small goslings followed along.  The second adult protectively brought up the rear.  It was a heart-warming sight seeing the little ones encased in their parents hovering care. “There’s a devotional there, Mom,” Dan said to me with a smile.

He was right.  Immediately the verse came to my mind from Isaiah 52:12b … 

“For the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

What a great reminder of the care of our Heavenly Father!  He not only goes before us, He also comes behind us.  We are encased in His presence as we walk through the joys and the challenges of our days.

What does today hold for you?  What is ahead of you this week?  Be reminded that the same God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, and came behind them with protection from their enemies, is the same God who surrounds you today.

* His love will encase you.
* His strength will empower you.
* His wisdom will guide you.
* His arms will enfold you.

Wherever your journey takes you this week …

* to the hospital,
* to the office,
* to the playground,
* to the classroom,
* through treatment,
* into situations of joy… or challenge,

He goes before you AND He comes behind you.  Embrace His care for you today, rest in the knowledge of it.  Moment by moment and situation by situation you can trust God with your life.

Father God,
Thank You that You know everything that concerns me today. I place my trust in You to go before me and to come behind me.  Remind me, as I walk, that I am encased in Your presence.  Help me to choose to rest there and leave my anxious cares in Your hands.  I give You my praise and thanksgiving.  In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.

Well, I trust you all had a great weekend!  We had a busy one … a highlight being that we were able to pick up Elizabeth’s brother, Johnny, and sister, Hannah, and take them with us to the picnic on Monday.  They had so much fun with all their friends who were there.  I took a tator tot casserole, and brownies.  There was so much food, and all of it was delicious!  It was a good day, and the weather was perfect.  Lots of volleyball, football, and basketball, along with a frisbee toss.  Hubby played volleyball most of the day!  I thought I’d sit it out this time … didn’t want to take a chance on re-injuring my back, because it is starting to feel better now!  I also want to thank all of you who responded to the message, and are praying for Elizabeth!  Please do keep her in your prayers … along with her family! 

We also went to the apple orchard, and got our first bag of apples for the season … very good.  They are Jonagold’s, but this coming weekend, my favorite apple, the Fuji, will be ready!  I like a crunchy, semi-sweet apple, and not too tart.  Their fresh peaches were in as well, and they are beautiful.  They have their mums out now … and the white ones are so pretty.  I also signed up for the Scottish-Highlander Festival for the last weekend there, this month.  It’s always a fun show to go to, and to sell our soap at … you may remember the photos I posted last year.  We always pray for good weather, as it is an outdoor show … we’ve only been rained out once.

We may not be taking our yard sale items to the church tomorrow, for the big sale through Saturday … my husband’s work load got a bit heavier for the rest of the week, so we may be having our own yard sale here in the next month, or so.  I can’t get all of our things over there in the car, so he thought it best to wait … although, I may go hang out with the ladies there sometime during the sale.  Maybe I could take a few items to unload, if they have any room left!  Never did sell that ‘Flo-Bee’ … maybe someone could use it!  Lol!!  Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday … I’ll be visiting around today to see what is happening in the lives of my dear Xanga friends! 

Be blessed! 
Hugs ~ Deborah <><