A Canopy of Protection

If we could see the big picture instead of the tiny snapshot-through-a-window that we think we see, I wonder how much we'd realize we take for granted. I'm guessing we would begin a seemingly never-ending list. There's so much we could list with just considering the tangible alone, and that the more we find to make our lives and daily tasks easier, the more there would be to list. But, of course, there's so much more besides, things that are even more important than the things we can see and touch.

The Lord's protection of His children would rank high on such a list. Oh, we trust in Him for it all the time when we know there's danger around us; indeed, we pray for it. But how often does He supply it and we don't even realize it because we aren't even aware of the danger that had surrounded us? Or how often do we thank Him because of what might have been?

This past Wednesday was a wonderful reminder of how precious it is to have such an One looking after us. My dad had asked my brother to keep our younger siblings occupied so he could concentrate. Since they were already in my room, Kevin decided it would be a good idea to keep them in there (and it would have been if it weren't for the clean laundry in piles to put away, the ironing board in the middle of the room, and some miscellaneous things taking up floor space).

So my 3 siblings are in there with me, I'm taking a moment to relax with a book, and Kev is annoying me. Soon a faux tug-of-war ensued between he and I, but when I eventually let go, his footing wasn't sound, and he's thrown off balance. In the very next instant, glass from the ceiling light fixture is raining down into every corner in the room, in all shapes and sizes, including the entryway that should have been shielded by an outcropping wall.

Yet none of us were hurt. Despite the fact our younger sister was standing under the light and glass fell all around her, or that both little ones looked up when they heard the crash. Nor Kev even though evidence shows a good amount showered toward him. Nor myself.

Almost a week later, I'm still cleaning up shards of glass that serve as a reminder of just how bad things could have been. And to think that this is just one instance when it was obvious the Lord was covering us. How else could one explain that, despite glass shattering everywhere, no one in the room was hurt, neither was there any trace of glass found on us? It would be pointless to try finding another explanation.

Psalm 145 is a beautiful psalm that speaks of God's goodness, power, & mercy, and I can't think of a better way to conclude than meditating on a few of the treasures found in the passage.

I will extol thee, my God, O king;

and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Every day will I bless thee;

and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

and his greatness is unsearchable.

I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty,

and of thy wondrous works.

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion;

slow to anger, and of great mercy.

The LORD is good to all:

and his tender mercies are over all his works.

All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD;

and thy saints shall bless thee.

The LORD upholdeth all that fall,

and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways,

and holy in all his works.

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,

to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him:

he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Psalm 145:1-3, 5, 8-10, 14, 17-19