STORY TIME - The psalmist in Psalm 139 tells us that God knows everything I do and everywhere I go.  Well. I believe He knows everything my old Chevy Impala does and everywhere it goes.  A week ago one of my grandsons I hadn’t seen in 3 years (he had moved to Colorado) and one of my great grandsons who lives in Virginia were to be visiting relatives in Columbia, SC.  I so wanted to see them and I decided I would drive (in my old Chevy) to Columbia (some 90 miles away) and I did so (much to my children’s disapproval- after all, I am 87 years old and etc.).  The trip went well. I didn’t drive my old car very much the next week until Saturday morning.  I got in my car to go to the grocery store and before I was much more than out of my parking spot my car decided it was in control and all but stopped in the middle of the road –moving at a turtle’s pace. I managed to turn around and creep back into my parking lot.  Now I tell you this because I believe God (who knew the throttle sensors in the car were about to die) not only delayed their death until I got back home but He made sure it happened in a safe environment for me.   Maybe you would say I was just lucky.  I say I was blessed. You see I believe that God cares about me and protects me. I am thankful for His watch care and protection.  Even if trouble comes, He will be there to strengthen me.    

 When a mother saw a thunderstorm forming in mid-afternoon, she worried about her seven year-old daughter who would be walking the three blocks from school to home. Thinking the little girl would be frightened, the mother decided to pick her up at school; but the little girl has already walked a block or two.  “I am so sorry; I was running a bit late.  Are you OK?”  “Yes,” replied the little girl.  All the way here God’s been taking my picture!”  If God were making your picture, what would He see?  Joy or Anxiety; Trust or Worry; Smiles or Frowns; Hope or Despair.

 FROM THE GOOD OLD DAYS - My junior and senior years in high school were spent in a Christian boarding school in southern Georgia. I loved the Christian environment. One of the things I enjoyed most was being in the high school chorus.  Our group would often travel to various churches and other venues to perform.  On one such trip we ran into snow and several of our members were shocked to discover that the pretty white snow (which they had never seen before) would be muddy underneath, ”I ruined my best shoes!” one girl cried.  Our trips were not exactly comfortable – we traveled in an old school bus.  But we were joyous and anticipated our trips with confidence and enthusiasm.  As we pulled out of the parking lot of our school our battle cry was the old hymn, ”Take the Name of Jesus With You.”                                        

 THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO - “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10.