“. . . for the Lord
was watching over me.” Psalm 3:5 NLT
When I grew up in the 1940's in Klamath Falls, a lumber
and farming town in southern Oregon, our local milkman delivered milk
to our front door in glass bottles. In the winter, if the bottles
stayed outside too long, the paper lids popped off as the milk turned
cold enough to freeze.
Eventually, my parents changed distributors and we
purchased our milk from George Davis, our neighbor. My sister Janice
and I didn't enjoyed drinking the last glass of milk in the gallon
container. We had a definite reason. Fine barnyard dirt always
settled in the bottom of the jug. That gritty scene at the base of
our glass took the pleasure out of drinking the neighbor's whole
milk. The thick cream on the top of the jug wasn't my favorite
either.
This same farmer owned a large grain field across the
street from our house. Seeds spread and grew outside his fence along
the edge of our road. I learned when the grain matured, a soft nutty
treat awaited me by crushing the dried heads in the palms of my
hands.
On a particular day in autumn, Jesus and his disciples
enjoyed the same delicacy as they walked through a field on the
Sabbath. They broke off a few dried heads and ate the grains in front
of God and the Pharisees. Those religious leaders always followed
Jesus and watched for opportunities to accuse Him of an unlawful act.
They denounced His disciples for working/harvesting on their holy
day.
Jesus used that opportunity to declare Himself Lord of
their Sabbath.
At harvest time, Mr. Davis mowed and bailed the grain,
then stored the bales in the barn. With the harvest completed, my
neighborhood friends were privileged to ride in his loaded hay wagon.
The trip took us around the fields to the barn.
I still remember one unusual hay ride. As I looked up, I
noticed a man wearing a long white robe standing way up in the sky
looking down on us. He stood at the end of a path raised about two
hundred feet above the grain field. White clouds rolled up on each
side to frame a pathway, seemingly from heaven.
Who was that man? An angel? The Lord himself? That
question was never answered. My friend Lois and I were possibly the
only children who saw the vision.
For weeks after the experience, I spent time on my back
in the middle of our lawn watching the sky. I examined every cloud
formation, hoping to see the same avenue to heaven. I observed many
beautifully-shaped clouds, but none led to a doorway to heaven. I
anxiously looked for another heavenly being watching over me.
Disappointed, I never saw that particular white formation in the sky
nor my guardian angel again.
Most people have no such experience, not even once.
Indeed, the neighbor kids enjoyed that simple wagon ride long ago,
but my memory of the mysterious visitor's watchful presence still
excites me.
We don't need to see an angel or the Lord Himself to
understand that He watches and protects us. We possess His eternal
Word in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave
your nor forsake you.” As our Shepherd, He
guards our souls just as an earthly shepherd protects his own sheep
from danger.
Read the words of David in Psalm 91:11,12. “For
he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will
hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a
stone.”
Remember an accident on the freeway that almost happened
to you or a friend? One such occasion clearly exists in my mind. I
saw the danger coming my way and shouted aloud
for my Lord's help. My unseen guardian was right there when I needed
His protection driving home from work.
That particular day in the grain field, I was too young
to comprehend the Lord's promises. But,
having lived over 70 years, I am well-acquainted with His Words. My
heart is full of praise and thanksgiving for His continual, watchful
eye and protection over me whether I physically see Him or not.
Jesus told his followers,
“The Son of Man will come again on a cloud with power and great
glory.”
Matthew 24:30.
Two men in white robes announced
to everyone watching His ascension into heaven, “Jesus
will return the second
time in the
clouds.” Acts
1:9
Keep looking up!
Happy Birthdays ~ Corlyss, Lynda, Barb, Tinsley, Geni, Sharon !
Happy Anniversary ~ Barb & Hal !
Juanita
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