He Is Our Cover

He will cover you with His feathers.
He will shelter you with His wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psalm 91.4

Sew On, Precious Jewels

"She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet."

This setting of scripture describes the vital workings of another Proverb jewel. Our virtuous example has no fear of the elements. Why? Because she gave thought to the various seasons in life, and then prepared accordingly. No doubt much preparation went into how she readied her family for ferrous storms, hot burning deserts, and lowly damp valleys. Such a jewel is our Bible Hannah.

Hanna was a faith-filled, prayer-believing woman - an ideal mother who put her son, Samuel, in the hands of God even before his birth. She had desires for Samuel I am sure, just like we have for our own children. She wanted the closeness of her child, holding him safely in her arms, and being part of his upbringing. However, Hannah made a supreme sacrifice to make sure that he was safe for eternity. Hannah’s actions speak to us. It shows that we must give our children proper Christian instruction while being careful not to dominate their lives. This jewel warns us not to become their hands, their feet, or their breath. It says, give them unselfish love. Genuine love escalates love to new heights.

A virtuous woman has no fear of the elements because she knows that it cannot penetrate the scarlet cloaks she made and placed around her children’s shoulders. No, life doesn't always go the way we planned but we must trust God having faith that the clothing we pattern is functional for each season. Our pattern will come from prayer, then sown with the thread of peace that’s woven in the heart, and hemmed in God’s plan.

Today, I cannot emphasize enough the need to keep our families ready for the various seasons that will come. Young mothers, please ready your children’s garments while they are small. Please trust, lean on, and believe in the Word of God each and every day so to guard your loved ones. Make sure your godliness shows in the garments you pattern. No, I can't say that your children will be faithful to the Lord all their years even if you try your very best to do everything right. However, what you implant in their minds and in their hearts will be there forever. Saturate your babies with love, doctrinal scripture, and thankfulness. Teach them to pray and to read Biblical stories. Strive each day to provide a spiritual environment so that they may know and see in you, an excellent example.

Sew on, precious jewels. Continue sewing your children’s garments through the day and through the night. Fill their closets with life's needed clothing thus ensuring that they will be wrapped in the arms of the Creator, and life will not devour them. My prayer: Dear Lord, give me a Hannah heart always for not only my children but for my grandchildren. Amen.

Whacked or Trimmed?

"Why has thou…broken down her hedges,
so…all…which pass…do pluck her?" Psalms 80:12

The Lord removed Job's hedge, at Satan's insistence. God wanted to prove that Job was not someone who gave only lip service but through adversity Job would continue to serve the Lord. When the trial of all trials hit Job, I am sure it felt like a weed eater had come in and whacked away his hedge. He lost everything, and everyone was looking to see how he would react. Today, the Lord does the same thing - only this time, we are the "Jobs." There are days when our hedge is removed and we stand exposed to the whole world. Being exposed can come in a whacking or just a trimming; however, no matter which, it will let us know in what shape our experience with the Lord is.

Whether we like to hear it or not, adversity reveals our true character. When we are exposed, every little thing has opportunity to get at us. We become a target to be bruised, taunted, mocked, and/or belittled. Our anxieties bring stress...stress to be what others think we should be, to go through pain within a certain time frame and a certain way, or to agree with whatever advice we receive. That's makes for stress, for sure; but the paramount of our stress is when we stand alone, face-to-face with ourselves. It is then that our flesh starts taking over, and we may think He doesn't care one bit about us or our own. In some situations, it would be far more logical to agree with rejection than believe that God cares. It is during these times that tears may cloud our vision, allowing our confidence to retreat. Hopefully, we will catch ourselves and trust that He will place His protective cover around us once again (in His own way, and in His own time).

I can guarantee that we have all had “Job” moments. So, as the Job of old, we as the “Job” of today must trust until the covering returns. I wrote the poem below a number of years ago after two of the greatest losses in my life. I remember standing exposed for the whole world to see. I wanted to retreat into a cave, and never come out - but I couldn't let my love for Him become only words, for my love for Him was originally born in my heart. I had but one choice, to stand exposed until the hedge grew back.

Why I penned this today, I don't know - but if you are in a Job experience, all I can say is, don't give in - wait patiently for the covering. The hedge will grow back. You can be a survivor! How do I know? Well, I am! (and I'm no one special but for the Grace and Love of God).

The removing of a hedge reveals not only my character
But places me face to face with contentiousness,
Leaving my heart open for bitterness to insert.
It takes words spoken in times of glorious elation,
And boisterously returns them in turmoil.
At this point, I must consider my heart’s location.

Vanity says, denounce creation, recant any inward hope.
Arrogance chimes in, "let go of what is right, what is true"
But it is here that my faith must hold strong.
In the removing of a hedge, my dedication is exposed,
A dedication, an allegiance, not found in books
But written on the pages of endless love.

If I will but believe that He does truly care,
I will allow strength to enter during weakness,
Reclaiming commitments originally sparked.
Setting my mind within reality’s boundaries,
Building a protection for peace to return.
A peace that can only come from above.

The removing of a hedge comes to all,
Uprooting adverse growth woven inside my domain.
The inner makings of my soul will be displayed,
And I will chance openly speaking thoughts once hidden.
Yes, I am destined to become a modern-day Job,
and there will be times when I stand uncovered for all to see.