Guided thoughts no. 23

Recently a family I knew "graduated" their little girl.... what? I mean that she "graduated" from a little girl's bed to a "big girl bed" -- an adult size bed of her own.

What a milestone! How proud she was of the new bed and the pretty, clean sheets! How wonderful her monkey looked, resting on the pillow, waiting for her!

Then nighttime came.
Her bedroom looked awfully different.
The small, cozy bed was just a few steps down the hall in her sister's room....the new, bigger bed looked rather intimidating! The shadows in her room looked so different.
Even her monkey couldn't comfort her.

Quick as a wink, little feet were pattering up the stairs, and a tiny voice pleaded for attention from the folks in the master bedroom. Patiently, they consoled her and carried her down the stairs. Hugged and loved, and told another story, she was tucked into the big bed.

She drowsed off to sleep, holding her mom's hand.

Christians, isn't this the story of our lives, too? We are all on a journey, growing every day, and we hit milestones of knowledge and wisdom. We rejoice in them.
But then things look a little intimidating.
A little different.
What's our first response?
It should be to run to our Father!

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,    my God, in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
 He will cover you with his feathers,    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night,    nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,    nor the plague that destroys at midday.  A thousand may fall at your side,    ten thousand at your right hand,    but it will not come near you.  You will only observe with your eyes    and see the punishment of the wicked.  If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”    and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you,    no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you    to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands,    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the cobra;    you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him;    I will be with him in trouble,    I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him    and show him my salvation.”  (Psalm 91)

He is our comfort and our refuge! Praise Him!