Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do
not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you
go.
Joshua 1:9
Oh, my dear girlfriends, every day for the past week I have thought about you as I opened my web browser. Whenever the Girlfriend Moments homepage popped up, I envisioned your faces! I longed to write to you, but my heart was also pulled in another direction: to my child!
The reason for my writing drought has not been a dry pen! Rather, I have been immersed in a flood of memories, spending the last ten days sorting through print and digital photos. You see, I have a senior in high school graduating in a month. She is my third child, mind you, but I am finally in a position in life to create a slideshow for her party. This task initially seemed simple, but I forgot who I am. Nothing I undertake is "easy" because naturally I expect detail and perfection! Oh, yes, and I have four children, so the quantity of material through which I must sort is monumental. But fear not, my head is above water, and I am swimming for the finish line!
During this endeavor, God and I had quite a few conversations. Do you find that God revisits you frequently in different fashions with a point He wants to drive home? This happens to me all the time.
Girlfriends, the last time I wrote I spoke about trust. Well, today, after this long break, I am back to the same issue. Trusting God; trusting other people. Trusting myself.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3
This morning, my second child messaged us that two girls from her college died from a house fire caused by a laptop on a bed. The smoke detector in the house they rented did not have a battery in it. My heart aches for their families, friends, and the college community. My mind cries out to God....why? My thoughts race to my own children. Fear creeps in and a sense of panic squeezes with each breath I take. I want to gather them in, hold them, and never let them go. But, alas, not one of them is present with me.
But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:5
I ask God repeatedly to protect each child. I hear God replying. Trust me. I read Psalm 13:5 again. Whatever my fear in this life, I can rejoice in His salvation. God saves our children. Parents do not save them. Firemen do not save them. Their faith in God alone offers true safety and salvation. Do I trust Him? If so, while continually loving them, I will release my grip and watch as they soar. He lifts them up on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). And when the time comes, He will carry them to His eternal home where we will meet again in joy and jubilation.
There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. Deuteronomy 1:31
Do I trust Him?
...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
As fearful as I may get at times like these when tragedy strikes near home, and as grim as reality appears when two young girls die in a fire that was preventable, I stand on the Rock of my salvation. With the knowledge that I imparted to my children the love of God and the pathway to His saving grace, I entrust their futures to Him. I cannot add to their lives by worrying. (Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25) Instead, I choose to trust and to enjoy each moment of this life together.
Girlfriends, my prayer for you today is pregnant with thoughts of personal safety, loved ones' safety, relationships fulfilled, and salvation. May God place a hedge of protection around you and your beloved families/friends. May He nudge you to take precautions and check your surroundings. I also pray you will reach out today to those people dear to your hearts--your parents, your children, your siblings, whomever--and profess with your mouth your love and appreciation for them.
But most of all, ladies, I pray that you turn to Jesus Christ as your eternal Savior and Protector. Only He can be trusted for safety and eternal life. Ask Him into your heart. Thank Him. And finally, share the Lord with those people in your sphere of influence. Let no ear within distance of your voice go without hearing His Message today. God alone saves, but you can be the megaphone in His Hand announcing the Word and preparing the way, for who among us knows our day?
God Bless, my friends, and please know how much I love and appreciate each one of you!
