Encouragement for Today - Sept. 8, 2009

September 8, 2009

Invisible Miracles

"And my God will meet all of your needs

according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:19 (NIV)

Devotion:

Recently, I "tempted fate."

I teetered on the brink of death, gazed at hundreds of feet upside down, and heard blood piercing screams from all sides. There were tears and fear in people's eyes, including my own. I took a ride on a rollercoaster!

I was a good sport during our family outing at the theme park and rode several rollercoasters. But there was one in particular that made me think. It was called The Ricochet: an erratic ride where one would practically fall off the edge of the track just before abruptly (and painfully I might add) jerking back to safety.

Each time we neared the edge of the track my stomach sunk and quick thoughts popcorned: what if a chain broke? A gear jammed? A mechanism failed? And how close would I be to my demise if these happened?!

Teetering on the brink of death, praying nothing would break and I would be jerked back to safety even if it hurt, I wondered how many times God has protected me from danger, whether I realized it or not.

I thought back on my college years and question how I ever made it out alive. God was surely there protecting me when I made bad decisions and gave little thought to the consequences of some of my actions.

I thought about how fearful I was that I would never be able to have a baby, but remembered how my heart was overwhelmed as I drank in the glow of Christ's forgiveness and mercy shining through the big blue eyes of my first little girl.

I thought about my son who was born with premature lungs and could not draw his first breath, and how God protected him and helped him grow into an active little boy.

I thought about when my 18 month-old daughter fell through an attic in a two-story home, landing on the hard garage floor, miraculously escaping injury without even one broken bone in her tiny little body.

I thought about how each of my children are healthy and happy, and how God has protected us from illness or harm.

I thought about how my marriage is still thriving, despite the trend of divorce that plagues couples today.

I thought about the day I miraculously averted a major collision, a seemingly near-death tragic experience. A deep gash in the bumper of my car reminds me of how close death was, but how God pushed that truck away just far enough to miss us. A millimeter of movement, in a millisecond of time.

I cannot help but wonder… how many other times has God protected us when we were not aware? How many times have an army of angels surrounded me and my family with a cushion of protection? How often has God stepped in between me and danger and I didn't even know it?

A close call with death is a stark reminder of God's protection. When I see the gash in my bumper, I am reminded how He stood in the gap for us. When I look at the precious faces of my children, I am reminded of God's mercy to allow me to have them; of the angels that caught my baby when she fell from the roof; and how God breathed breath into my son's newborn lungs when he couldn't take one on his own.

I am reminded to thank Him for His goodness and protection, even during times I didn't realize His presence. I am reminded to consider the invisible Savior that is always walking closely beside me.

Be on the lookout for the invisible activity of God in your life, and don't take anything for granted.

Dear Lord, thank You for who You are, and for protecting me and loving me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford

Visit Tracie's blog and resource page

Application Steps:

Think back on the little miracles God has done in your life and thank Him.

Reflections:

In what ways has God provided for and protected me and my family?

Have I given Him credit for all He has done for me?

Power Verses: