As I have been reading Walt’s series on trials, both his Bee Careful and A way out the Lord brought to mind an incident in my life a couple of months ago.

It was the beginning of November and I had been invited to an evening Mary Kay party at a friend’s house. All day I had been feeling overwhelmed about having a commitment that evening. It had been a long week and I didn’t feel I had paid proper attention to my own home or family, but I had committed to go so I refrained from canceling.

I said my goodbyes to my husband and small children and maneuvered my mini-van out of our village development. As I waited to pull out on the main road I felt the Spirit urging me to text message my husband to pray for safety. I reasoned that it was just my nerves, I don’t like driving at night, and had a half hour drive ahead of me, which included some winding back roads. I argued with the Lord that it couldn’t be His voice, asking me to pull over to the side of the road to text my husband and reasoned that I would just pray for safety myself.

I continued driving and soon forgot the incident. Nearing the end of my trip, I turned onto the back roads leading to my friend’s house. In the height of deer season, on her rural roads I began to get edgy about the number of deer I saw close to the road. I slowed to a crawl, barely 15 miles an hour. Then out of no where it seemed. WHAM! I hit one, smack center, jarring my vehicle, throwing the deer who quickly got up and hobbled away. I was shaken. Putting on my 2-way flashers I got out to inspect the damage. There was only a small bump on the hood of the van.

I got back in and continued to my friend’s house. Later that evening when I got home I told my husband the story. I had never hit a deer before and I was humbled by my own disobedience. The Lord was trying to warn me, protect me, and I ignored His warning – brushed His voice aside and relied on my own reasoning.

I was also humbled that even in my disobedience He protected me as much as He did. A deer accident could have been much worse!

Not only that I had robbed my husband of the opportunity to stand for me in prayer.

I can’t surmise the other ending to the story as one of those kids books where you can choose your own ending. But in the quietness of my own heart I have asked the Lord what would have happened if I had been obedient. More and more frequently He has been showing me that obedience to His voice and His Word are opportunities to prevent disaster.

He desires to surround me with His shield of protection.

Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12

Might we all be more apt to listen. More quick to obey.

…………………………….

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Naomi
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God's intervention and instructions in our lives
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