Adventurous I’m not. But, God gave me a daughter who loves travel and adventure. I’ll never forget the day Lauren called to tell me she and her friends wanted to plan a multi-country tour through Asia, staying in hostels and other places this mama would not set foot.
How I wanted to join in on her joy and excitement, but I couldn’t. My mind immediately traveled to terrorist attacks. Scenes from the movie, Taken. Food poisoning. Plane crashes. Any of you mamas been there?
And, to add fuel to my fire, a week before her departure date, pain Lauren had been experiencing elevated to the point it necessitated a doctor visit. Her doctor sent her to a surgeon who told her she needed to have her gall bladder removed as soon as possible. Because of the months of planning invested in this trip, he gave her permission to travel and scheduled her surgery two days after her return. They prescribed medicine that would give her two days to fly back in the event of a gall bladder emergency. Not words an already fearful and nervous mama wanted to hear.
Fear consumed my heart. I turned to the only One I knew would bring me peace. God led me to His Word.
THIS word.
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
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;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
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.
God’s promise to me …
God will watch over Lauren’s coming and going.
Through this psalm, God reminded me of His character. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Just as God did for Israel, He will do for Lauren. For centuries, God watched over the coming and going of His chosen people. He did the very same for Jesus and His disciples. I knew He was asking me to trust Him to do the same for my girl. Every plane flight. Every border crossing. Every train. Every hostel. Every meal. Every interaction. He would be there with her. I could trust Him.
Each day, I rehearsed His promises. I prayed them over Lauren and her friends.
Instead of crying out in fear, I called upon Him in faith.
I truly felt anxious for nothing because I prayed about everything.
I believed that HE was watching over her coming and going because He is El Roi, the God Who Sees.
He had His eye upon her. He had His eye on me.
He was near.
He was in control.
She was safe.
I pray this message speaks to your heart today. Maybe you’re sending a child off to college or a far away trip. Maybe you’re stepping into a new place in life. Maybe you or someone you love has received a diagnosis that terrifies you. Maybe you’re in a storm where the waves are crashing over you, overwhelming you. Maybe fear holds you captive.
Sweet friend, turn to your Abba Father. Turn to Psalm 121. Speak it. Pray it. Believe it. Rest in it.
Leave a comment today and share a promise that YOU cling to in times like this. Let’s fill this comment section with Scriptures that will bless and encourage us in these difficult, fearful, lonely, scary places.
Thanking God for each one of you today. May you know His love, presence and provision is the most sweet and intimate ways.
P.S. The winner of our last giveaway was Katria! Please check your email for more info.
Blessings,
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