Photograph of Mural in Baltimore
“Because he hath set his love
upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath
known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him
in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy
him, and show him my salvation.” saith the Lord.
Psalm 91:14-16
I bet you've had this happen? You’ve walked into or
almost bumped into people conversing and in earshot could easily have joined in on their discussion. You heard their exchange,
but knew it was not the time to give your opinion. In those instances my
friends would say, “Keep your twenty two cents to yourself.” That’s how much they valued your input. Well,
I am sure this was the case, let me explain.
As I quickly walked by I witnessed it and heard it in her tone of voice,
another woman, whom I concluded was the mother of a tall, handsome and athletic
looking young man. I am sure he was a teenager, not totally focused on what was
being said to him. He wasn’t
disrespectful just not responding in the manner I suspect his mother desired.
They were in the store isle standing in front of the cereal boxes, she was stressing
the importance of selection and cost. I
sensed there was a level of frustration that the adult really did not mean to
make apparent. Her comprehension of the
high costs of food boomeranged in my spirit.
But it was evident to me there was more to the angst. I don’t believe it
was so much about the sparse boxes of dry cereal with the exorbitant prices. I
discerned that her pitch and tone may have had to do with what was or wasn’t occurring
in their life. No, I’m not a psychic, but I trust the Holy Ghost. (We don’t have
a clue about the struggles and demands others face.) And I don’t claim to know
her station in life; but I am sure God meant for me to feel empathy and connect
with them. My instincts were revved and I knew the immediate issue was what the
son desired verses what was affordable. Not that long ago it was me standing in
the isle sharing with my son about his wants surpassing his needs. (Lord knows I
have been there! Some instances those moments return.)
Listening to their exchange I was yanked back in
time when our tall son was in undergrad and my heart would skip a beat whe he
phoned because in his tone of voice I could discern whether it was a distress
call or otherwise. His frantic undertone
said, “I need assistance now!” Just listening to the mother’s undertone I felt the
urgency to help her! My mother instinct
kicked in when I also heard his voice. He tried to mask it with a cordial "Hi Mom!” but I knew better.
[She] He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him
in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy
him, and show him my salvation.” saith the Lord.
I recall in that similar spirit chatting with my
favorite Bank Manager to learn that her smile belied the apparent truth that
her heart was very heavy about her husband's third departure for serving in the
military. I promised I’d pray for them.
“Lord keep us and protect us in Jesus’ Name. We need
you and are counting on your infinite mercy and care! Thank you Father, thank
you!”
After leaving the bank/supermarket with a few
grocery items that had shot up in price in a week’s time, I just shook my head
in amazement. There was one more stop before going home. I drove to my
neighborhood Shoe Repair Shop that had not been maintaining their usual
business hours. I quickly ran in the shop surprised that the door was ajar and
wondered why there had been a sign on the door with the handwritten words
Closed for Several Weeks-what, why?
The young proprietor confessed in an apologetic tone that his family was facing difficulty and he now worked elsewhere during the day. He shared that financially they were having difficulty paying their mortgage and his elderly mother now covered the shop. This was a rough patch! Once again I knew well about mortgage woes. But, friends what really resonated in my spirit were the words wthe young man spoke: "But it’s going to be all right I guess!”
Without a doubt these are some of the most difficult times that this many people have encountered collectively in a very long while. It feels like more than a pinch, it’s often a strangle hold to stay afloat making our ends meet. Living in this world can be very hard! Yes, indeed it’s rough-it’s real, it’s personal hardships on an intimate level!
Meaning; But for the love of God!
But for His unwavering provision!
But for His marvelous grace and sweet mercy! But for
the beauty of God’s word which reminds us that His love abounds even in tough
times!
Imagine an abiding love for you-his children. A love
not predicated on status, religion or pedigree. No matter the personal attacks,
innuendos hurled and/or the tumultuous hardships experienced. We can count on God's
wonderful supply of protection, grace and evident mercy. Daily we can abide
under His care: His Lordship! Wouldn’t you agree it’s comforting to realize this? His deliverance and most assuredly His love and
shelter will protect us even in the rough places if we just stay connected.
Hang on friends and safely
tuck in your heart the scripture:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will
rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is [our] my refuge
and [our] my fortress [our] my God in who I trust.” Psalm 91:1, 2
Finally
be sure to reference on Youtube: Tonex, Kirk Franklin’s God Has Not Forgotten.
Keep a melody under your caps.
Peace and
God's Abundant Blessings to You,
Linda Mose Meadows, author of:
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s and God’s Promises
http://www.blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/Linda Mose Meadows, author of:
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s and God’s Promises
http://www.blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/
