I took a deep breath and asked my husband to pray. I started to climb the ladder to a second story window that needed painting. Rain was coming in a couple days and the bare wood of the newly replaced window needed to be protected. I shook as I climbed the ladder while the wind whipped around the corner.

I was feeling fragile. Two days earlier as I was driving home in the dark a deer jumped in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes and waited for the thud. I must have missed it by an inch or two. I arrived home safe, but shaken.

Later in the day I pondered these two events while I drove home from the library. “Thank you, God for keeping me safe.” I see my need in crisis, but often fail to thank him for the calm, easy days when I don’t cry out in desperation. Each breath is from Him. Because of Him all things hold together. I take it for granted. Forgive me Father for my failure to look moment by moment to you.

As I drove I noticed the trees were swaying rather violently ahead. Suddenly one came crashing down as I swerved my car to miss most of it. The car behind me did the same. It was as if God was making His point again. I thought of the hymn. “I need Thee, O I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee…”

We are such foolish creatures. We think we are self-sufficient and in need of nothing. It is good we are reminded of how frail we are. For, even on the good days, it is God who is by our side while we merrily and obliviously go on our way.

Thank you, Father for the not so subtle reminder of your care.

“The Lord your God is in your midst. A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17