January #jammed : Grace in Life’s Face
Day 28: Danger Lurks Closeby
“POP!”
I immediately ducked.
“POP!!! POP!!!”
I yanked my ear buds out and scrambled to see who else was walking the pier. That dawn, a photographer was five feet behind me, and we simultaneously shot each other a look of fear.
“I see his decoys right there,” he told me. “But what the idiot is doing shooting towards the shoreline I have no idea.”
We both rolled our eyes, and I said something stupid and laughed as a predictable product of my disturbed nerves.
Right now, in this world, everyday life is interrupted by gun shots. I praise God my experience was an idiot hunter aiming the wrong way, but was starkly reminded that prayer is a matter of life or death.
Amos predicted destruction on account of the way the Israelites were not giving every area of their lives over to God. Financially selfish and oppressive, they were punished as Amos predicted.
Our world is fulfilling it’s prophecy, too. It’s going to get worse until it ends. But in the doom and gloom of it all, we can hold on to God for dear life. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, a modern-day ancient remnant, we clutch hope.
On my way back down the pier that day, I noticed a duck floating in the water on the opposite side they are normally hunted. The closer I walked toward it, the more I noticed it’s limp neck and lifeless form …floating right next to where I’d been walking just minutes earlier.
The shot went right over my head and hit it’s target. #protectionofprayer
Father, You are powerful to protect us when we call on You in need. Thank you for protecting me that day on the pier, and for all of the other lives You’ve swooped in to preserve. We confess that we don’t understand why and how all of the time, and ask that You send Your Spirit to help us pray it out. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Ever had a close call like that before? Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Happy “Ducking,”
Megs
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Hi Meg,
You’re an amazing writer. Thank you for your encouragement and for leaving me a nice comment on my blog. Yes, I feel like I’ve survived many close calls on the N.J. highways where it seems everyone is on the phone, being selfish and careless. I’m always thankful for a safe trip and grateful for each minute He takes care of me! Cancer has been my biggest challenge the last couple of years, and taught me to fully trust my Healer, and become bolder in sharing my faith! Everyday life is just scary sometimes but I choose to live without fear and with hope, and I feel safe because of Him!
Linda, thank you so much for taking the time to encourage me here, today …and for sharing a piece of your story. I think you’re an amazing witness of God’s love having an attitude like you do in the midst of fighting cancer. I applaud you, and pray for healing and freedom from fear. Happy Saturday, friend!
Oh, wow! God was certainly watching out for you. I’ve been lucky, or blessed, or protecting so far in my life. I don’t really have a close call story like this. However, my father-in-law recently fell out of a tree and broke his back, but it could gave been so much worse. God was all over the situation when the accident happened. Thanks for sharing!
Love and blessings, Mandy #83 here at Faith Filled Friday
Hi Mandy! My goodness a broken back! That’s terrible, but I’m so glad not worse. My husband is suffering from a horrible pinched nerve in his back right now… it’s so hard to see past the pain when we’re in the thick of suffering …oh, how our sweet Father holds us safely in His hands through it all. Happy Saturday!
I am always in awe of God’s protection, even when I am not aware I was even in danger. Within one year, my husband spent 7 days in the trauma unit due to a motorcycle accident and 8 days in ICU from a heart attack. He should not have survived either, but for the grace of God! Thank you for pointing my heart to gratitude this morning, And I’m so happy to have you sharing on Fresh Market Friday!
Crystal, my goodness! Your husband is a walking miracle! What a story! Thank you so much for visiting. Love Fresh Market Friday!