Pool Enclosures

A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalms 121:1-4 NIV)

Today I'm feeling a bit of "let down" and having trouble motivating myself to attack my overwhelmingly large task lists.  I've been around the block enough to know that there are "seasons" in life and that even within any given season there are "ebbs and flows" to our days.  Some days there is far more given to you than you can accomplish in a day.  On those days, the "task list" increases.'  Other days not many new projects are added to your list, so you "chip away" at what is in front of you.  My time since the Porter County Fair has been primarily the first category: adding to my list.  That's about 6-8 weeks worth of managing the "highest priorities" and letting the rest pile up.

In the midst of this time, I've found myself tempted to abandon my time alone with God each day.  After all, I'm "too busy" to spend time reading Scripture and talking to Him.  With few exceptions, I've fought off that temptation and at least followed my reading plan - keeping me grounded in His Word.  Even when I didn't blog or send out texts/emails telling people "I prayed for you," I was regularly having my focus being brought to Him.  I needed that.

A couple weeks ago, for example, Traci and I traveled down to Anderson University to drop off our daughter and get her settled in.  The orientation process worked out in such a way for her specific programs so that we really should have been spending three days down there.  My mom gave us an early Anniversary present so we could stay in a hotel during this process.  It was a great blessing.

Most of the time was spent moving our daughter into her dorm, attending parent orientation meetings, and spending time with our new college student to navigate this new world together.  One afternoon, though, we had a break in the action for a little while and Traci and I got to enjoy the hotel pool for two hours.  It was a nice pool with a glass enclosure all around it that allowed us to feel like we were outside, while we were really inside and protected from the elements.  Today's Scripture reading reminded me of those couple hours.

The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalms 121:5-8 NIV)

Traci and I spend most of those two hours talking about the overwhelming majesty of our God.  We talked about ministry and serving and how much we Him and the purpose He's given us.  We enjoyed being "outside" and at the same time "protected" from the harshness of the sun's rays.  I imagined what it would be like to sit in a room like that in the winter, protected from the cold and snow outside yet still enjoying the power of our God.

It's so easy to lose sight of the grandeur of our God.  It's easy to get caught up in the here and now and the "important" things that vie for our attention every day.  My time alone with God, though, breaks me out of that "daily grind" and reminds me of what this is all about.  It reminds me who is really in control.  It reminds me that He is watching over my life and that He will continue to do so for the rest of my life.  It reminds me to relax, enjoy His protective "enclosure," and walk with Him.  I'm asking Him to help you enjoy the LORD who watches over you as well.