The Day Stepping Away Saved My Life

0:00The day, stubbing away, saved my life, by Kerry Willis. Moses answered the people, do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still." Exodus chapter 14 verses 13-14. Eyes wide, I watched and horror, as the semi-truck began backing towards me. I wanted to save my trike, but something inside me told me to get off and move to the grass. I had been fascinated by the big moving truck parked in front of our neighbor's house. Curious, I peddled my shiny red tricycle down the street to watch. Tears rolled down my chubby little face as I stood beside the truck and saw my precious tricycle, slowly being crushed under giant truck tires and become scrap metal. Loud air breaks broke my pout. The truck came to a stop and the very scared driver appeared.

1:00He had seen me in a side mirror standing there crying. He was terrified he had run over someone. He asked me if I was okay, picked up my crushed tricycle, took my hand and asked where I lived. He walked me home and delivered me to my mom, who seemed outwardly unruffled by the event. He profusely apologized and offered to pay for a new tricycle or a wheel or whatever we needed. My tricycle never was the same, but I fortunately was just fine. Looking back, I realized there was more happening than I could understand as a three-year-old. Even then, I recognized that God had protected me. I could have been sitting on that tricycle as the truck backed over it. Maybe it was an instinct or fear at all that made me move. Maybe God sent an angel or two to intervene and pull me to safety. 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. Psalm 91 verses 11-12. In fact, even as I stood there crying, I think I really prayed for the first time.

2:09I'm sure it was not out loud. I still can't pray through my tears. And how can I not shed tears when I realize God's goodness and care for me? 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. Psalm 91 verses 14-15A. I was in trouble. I called on him. He rescued me. I'm pretty sure God has protected me from my own folly more than anything. But as I look back through my life, one thing I know, I have kept my guardian angels busy. I still struggle with stepping away when I think I need to stay in the battle. Learning to trust that God will fight for me while I remain still, may be a lesson I continue to refine until I reach heaven, his ultimate and eternal place of protection. Throughout scripture, God reminds His people that He is their protector. God told Abraham,

3:10do not be afraid. I am your shield, Genesis chapter 15. David echoes that truth when he wrote, You Lord are a shield around me. Psalm chapter 3 verse 3, whether we face physical danger, illness, or spiritual battles, our confidence must rest in the God who is our ever-present help in a time of trouble. Psalm chapter 46 verse 1, Surrender the battle to Him. Ask for His protection and be willing to receive it. God saved my life that day almost 60 years ago by prompting me to step away from danger. Today He still calls me to step away from fear, striving, and battle He has already won. My part is to trust Him with what I can see and with what lies hidden beneath the surface. Questions worry-flection. How have you seen God's protection in your life? Have you stopped to thank Him for it? Is there a battle waging that you need to surrender to His protection and be still?