Coming and going....

I raise my eyes toward the mountains.  Where will my help come from?

2 

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

3 

God won’t let your foot slip. Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.

4 

No! Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests!

5 

The Lord is your protector; the Lord is your shade right beside you.

6 

The sun won’t strike you during the day; neither will the moon at night.

7 

The Lord will protect you from all evil; God will protect your very life.

8 

The Lord will protect you on your journeys—whether going or coming—

    from now until forever from now. 

(Psalm 121 CEB)

I once read something by a poet about closing one's eyes at night and all seems to become "dead" with the enclosure of darkness, but also of the tremendous miracle of opening one's eyes the next day to the newness of life where all seems to once again be reborn. It was kind of an amazing thought to consider our times of slumber as that which bring rebirth or newness in such a way - death to the old and life to the new, so to speak. We need this "slumber" at times in not just a physical sense. If we equate the closing of one's eyes as a chance to "reset" what it is we see, then every opportunity for a "closure" within one season of a relationship can be the "opening" of another one!

I read a post this morning from a friend who has moved away, so my only way of remaining connected with her over the miles is often in her posts. She was celebrating the beauty of roses - not so much because they were open and fragrant - but because of the gentleman who has won her heart! One door closed in order for another to open. One job ended in order for another to begin. One relationship brought pain, but another has opened up to the newness of joy once again for my friend. I was truly celebrating with her, as well!

Whether coming or going, God's eyes never shut on our lives. His tender mercies are new with each new day and even with each new breath! While this may sometimes go overlooked by us until we take time out of our busy lives, once we just "shut down" for a little while, we realize just how much God's restorative and keeping power have been at work in our lives. It may be in the realm of energies for the tasks at hand all the way to the restorative power of helping us be ready and rightly placed for new relationships. Regardless of "how" his mercies come into our lives - they are sufficient to meet all our needs and are evidence of his great care for his kids!

Our comings and our goings - both are in his care. Our beginnings and our endings - both are within his design when our lives are positioned to follow in his steps. Just sayin!