Daily Devotionals
Living Wisely, Living Well
Posted in Peace/Rest
God’s Answers Through Sandy Wings
“If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139: 8-10)
I usually don’t mind making decisions. Deciding what to cook for dinner, which shade of gray to paint the walls, who to ask for help, how much to offer on a purchase, what subject to write about, which book to recommend. Making decisions doesn’t bog me down in most cases. But this Summer, my mama, sisters, and I have been faced with decisions no one wants to make. Even the best specialists taking care of our dad in the hospital can’t provide clear answers to the weighty questions they ask us. This recommended procedure or that, risks versus benefits, wait longer or move forward, now or later or not at all…. Over the past several weeks, we’ve stood side by side at the forks in the road before us, staring at each path as far as the eye could see, hoping for revelation of which path would be smoothest and lead to restored health on this side of Heaven. But as hard as we try, we can’t see! And so, we pray.
My husband and I decided last-minute to take our children to the beach for a quick respite. Salty air mixes well with salty tears, so I headed south out my screen door for a long stroll along the shore as I consulted with the Great Physician, my Lord. I prayed for direction and a clear path. I prayed for him to hold my dad, comfort him, and give us all peace. Then my awesome God answered me, as clearly as I’ve ever seen.
As I walked, I looked down among the scattered seashells strewn out in front of me. And at my feet was the most beautiful, lilac-colored pair of “angel wings,” a tiny coquina clam shell opened wide and flat, with both sides perfectly intact. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved digging for these live, pastel-shelled creatures at the ocean’s edge or finding them washed ashore with their “wings” opened wide. But on that day as I bent down to pick up the delicate treasure, I saw a second set of wings in tan, then another set in pink and another in snow white. I carefully picked up each one and whispered, “Angel Wings!” I took another step and found five more, then another step led to three others, then another, and another. Every step I took back to our house, more angels’ wings lay open at my feet. I was surrounded by angels! My sweet Savior sent me perfectly intact coquina shells to assure me he hears my prayers. His arms and angels’ wings were holding my frail dad right then, and that gave me peace.
As today’s Scripture from Psalm 139 promises, “If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.”
Our God is with us in the depths of dark decisions. He is with us as we rise with the dawn or walk along the sea, and his hand will guide us toward the right path and hold us along the way, as long as we ask. Praise be to God!
Prayer: Father in Heaven, as much as I know you are with me along my walk in life, I thank you today for reminding me that you hear my prayers and answer in the sweetest, most vivid ways if I only open my eyes. I know you love my parents, children, friends, and family members even more than I do. Help me trust that and walk in that confidence day after day. Thank you for wrapping your arms around me and giving me strength and courage to walk the path you set in front of me. That path is surely marked with angels’ wings! In your Son’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Submitted by Caroline Bennett