Wednesday, March 30
Finding the Way
How great is your goodness, Lord, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. —Psalm 31:19
Lost! I was lost. And frightened. I had ventured out for a long hike in a beautiful old-growth forest in Virginia with Mac, my Scottish terrier. Somehow the trail had faded, darkness was setting in, and I had lost all sense of direction. The only thing I knew to do was to pray.
As I knelt in the fragrant fallen leaves on the forest floor and closed my eyes, an amazing sense of peace fell over me. I knew that somehow God would help me. When I stood up and wiped the tears off my face, I spoke gently to Mac, assuring him that we would be okay. Without hesitation Mac began to energetically walk deeper into the woods. He stopped and turned back to look at me, as I was still standing frozen in my tracks. Then, remembering that comforting sense of peace, I began to follow my dog.
After about thirty minutes of determined hiking, Mac and I emerged onto the trail and were able to find our way out of the woods.
How amazing is our God! How surprising are his ways! I know that He stands watching us at every minute, through every challenge, in all that we experience in this precious life both good and bad.
God of refuge and comfort, every day of living brings a new sense of your awesome presence. Help us to spend our days in gratitude for your goodness and mercy and to be your ambassadors of love to the people whose paths cross our own. Amen.
Betty Schroeder