Hand Holding

Yesterday as I was re-reading in Psalms 37, verses 23 & 24 jumped out at me.  I was reading in the NASB which says

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.  When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand."

What a promise!  And what a mental picture!  I can remember walking with a young child's hand in mine and holding her up when she started to stumble.  This is what God wants to do for us!  And yet, I also remember trying to hold a child's hand when they did not want their hand held.  Father, may this never be me!  I choose, Father, to put my hand in yours and let you lead me and keep me from falling.  

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, . . . " Jude 1:24 NASB

Father, I praise you for your loving care and your strength!  Please keep me from stumbling and bring me to stand in your presence as promised - blameless and with great joy thanks to Jesus' sacrifice on my behalf.  I am SO grateful, Father!

Thank you, Father, for Flowers!

Yesterday was Mother's Day, and my loving husband gave me flowers that he had cut from our yard (that I didn't even know existed) - getting out early with a ladder to cut some of them from trees in our yard.  Later I was surprised by flowers of one form or another from both of my brother's families.  I am so grateful for loving family.

This morning as I was paging through my Bible, I came to this illustration (created 4 years ago), and was taken back to the passage in Matthew 6:24-34 - particularly the passage "Consider the lilies of the field. . ."  The NIV puts it this way:

"See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you;" 

I am so grateful for the way my heavenly Father cares for me!  This morning I got to thinking that every time I see flowers - and especially when I receive them as I did yesterday - they can serve as a reminder of His love.  Just like the rainbow in the sky is to serve as a reminder of God's promise (Gen 9:12-17) to never again send a flood that covers the entire earth, flowers can be a reminder for me of his promise to take care of me - even with regard to clothes.

Thank you, Father, for your love for me!  I am so grateful that you care - even about the mundane details of our lives.  May I trust you fully and completely and every speck of fear be removed from me! Truly as I contemplate your love, it DOES cast out fear.  (1 John 4:18) Thank you for the many things you do to bless our lives - the big things like our salvation through Jesus, and the little things like fragrant and beautiful flowers to enjoy.  The words of that chorus ring so true "God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me!"  Thank you, Father!