he protects us

By Joyce Pelletier
Psalm 9:1-2 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart: I will tell of all  your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
So many times, I tend to forget to give thanks to the Lord for His amazing love and protection upon us. Recently, I’ve been asking God for his protection over us. When I go out and drive here and there for errands, appointments, groceries, even Church, a sense of fear and dread comes over me. 

I’ve been noticing lately the aggressiveness in drivers wherever I go. Each time I get in my car I ask God for his protection on us, that I would continue to be clearly alert as I drive so that no one will be hurt, and that no one will cause an accident involving me or anyone else. 
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When I was about 5 years old, My dad was driving us to visit someone, I don’t remember who but all of a sudden, we ended up with his car and mom, my brother and I on it’s side. I do not recall what happened to get us in that state. My mom told me later in life that my brother ran back to the car for my doll that was left in the car, because I was crying. Evidently, it was reassuring to me that he did that for me. 

The best news is none of us were seriously hurt. I wonder if I prayed then for His protection? I was way too young to remember. Now in my advanced age, I cannot help but think, God has his hand on me in every situation and has since before I was created. He’s always there protecting me from harm. So, because I have this reassurance, should I continue to ask for his protection, or would it behoove me to offer my deep gratitude for keeping me safe on the road. 

Should I grumble each time someone illegally passes me because I might not be going fast enough for them? I think I will continue to thank God for his hand on me and my loved ones. I’ve also learned that even though someone is impatient and will pass me anyway, to pray for them instead of criticizing them for their need to “just get where they are going!”They say patience is a virtue. I say, I need as much patience as the next guy and pray in deep gratitude for God’s hand on me at all times. 

Psalm 9:8 says, “He rules the world in righteousness and judges the people with equity.” Please pray with me…
‘Lord, bless all us drivers out there. Help us to realize how vulnerable we are to each other in all stages of life, More importantly, Trusting in you gets us where we NEED to go and in Your timing. Help us on our life’s journey to seek your protection in all things. There is no one more deserving of our praise than you.’