Travel Mercies

How many times have we told friends or family that we would be praying “traveling mercies” over them as they headed out for vacation, business travel or even just a day trip down the road. Randy and I just feel more secure when we begin any trip asking God’s protection over us and have made it a habit before pulling out of the driveway to just pray for God’s traveling mercies to be upon us, whether flying, or driving.

A few days ago, a friend posted an article she wrote about God’s protection. Lisa Clark, thank you for writing this and reminding us that sometimes God protects us in ways which we might not recognize at first, but nonetheless, we always need to trust His Heart, when we don’t see His Hand….Thanks Lisa for sharing this with us, and for letting me share it on the blog.

“A few weeks ago in our bible fellowship class, I heard the story of Jonah in a new, fresh way. You know the story. Jonah’s disobedience causes him to be thrown overboard into the sea. I’m sure, in his wildest dreams, he didn’t think God would protect and save him, especially not in the belly of a fish.

God’s protection doesn’t always look like we think it should, does it? I’ve thought about this a lot in the past week or so. I think I know what’s best for my life, my kid’s life, my husband’s life, but God…

As we enter a new year, a new season, we must remember that God’s ways are higher, better, and for our good and His Glory. (Romans 8:28)

Did your child not get in a class with his friends, or the teacher he/you wanted? Could this be God’s protection?

Did your husband not get the promotion or job? God’s protection…

Sale of your house fall through?
Engagement off?

No homecoming date?

Did your daughter not get invited to the party? Could this be God’s protection over your daughter?

Just as Jonah didn’t expect to live in the belly of a fish for 3 days and 3 nights, this was God’s plan of protection for his life.

Thank you God for your protection, even when it doesn’t look like protection at all.”

After seeing the news of the earthquake in Italy this morning, both Randy and I felt so grateful for our trip to Italy being cancelled, as we would have been there at this time, had Randy not fallen and broken his shoulder. At the time he fell, did we feel God’s Hand in it? Did we stop to consider that his accident was actually better than what would possibly had happened to us, if we had gone on the trip that we had planned for months? Since last January we have prayed asking the Lord to guide us and allow us this very special time for us to celebrate our 20th in Italy. But we also prayed that if it were not His will, then to please close the door of us going. And close it He did!

We have had family and friends call, text and email us today, telling us that they were so grateful that we were not able to go. This is a great reminder  to both of us that when our plans fall through and bends in the road disappoint our best laid plans, we need to give praise and thanks instead of grumbling and complaining. It might just be God placing us in our own “belly of a fish”!

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Lord, thank you for your Hand of protection being upon us and help me to trust You for your perfect path which you lay out before me. Help me to be obedient to your will instead of mine and help me to always trust your heart, even when I can’t see your Hand. Thank you for  always being our source of hope and peace. Amen