Faithfulness

Driving home after celebrating the beginning of another new year, I was surprised at how quiet and uneventful the streets of our little town were. It was relatively early for New Year’s Eve, around 12:30 am, the night was calm, the air crisp. Having just welcomed in 2023 and thinking about what the year ahead may bring, I noticed a movement to the left of my vision. There he was making a surprise appearance, entering unannounced, a huge grey kangaroo heading like a moth toward my headlights. It all appeared like slow motion – him bounding, my reacting as I slammed my foot hard against the brake. I managed to miss him; I don’t know how but I do know his fur polished my fender! Talk about a jolt to the new year! It crossed my mind; could this be a sign that 2023 would be a year of near misses!

Perhaps the near miss was just good luck or was someone watching over me? I don’t have crystals or good luck charms hanging from my rear-view mirror, and I must admit I have never believed in just “good luck”. In this world of uncertainty and near misses, good luck charms such as crystals are a very popular commodity, sold not merely as beautiful gems, but gems that are touted as having “energy” fields, healing properties, mood enhancers, and general health benefits.

My father’s hobby was gem collecting, dad would cut, polish, and mount beautiful stones that he had collected on his travels. He had them displayed in a specially decked out shed, set up to house his treasures that were arranged in glass topped cases featuring different types of lighting to best enhance the colours and character of the gemstones. Through word of mouth, my father’s hobby became somewhat of a tourist attraction; many visitors came from as far as Queensland to see his collection. However, as beautiful as they were, my father was under no illusion that they were [more than] inanimate objects made by the Creator for us to enjoy. Not for us to embellish with mystical powers!

While we live on this earth, we will never be immune to near misses, and I know without a doubt that God was with me as I travelled that first morning of this year. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. Deuteronomy 31:8. He knows our comings and goings and he is faithful to uphold his promises to us. He’s a faithful Father, loving us and watching over us in all circumstances.

It is now June as I write this devotion, the past six months have gone by very quickly. And as the winter nights set in, no doubt more Skippys and other unforeseen circumstances will cross my path, yet I also know that his Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 46:1).

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. (Elisha Hoffmann, 1887)
Thankyou Lord Jesus, Amen.

About the Author

Dee Simons

I was born in the Wimmera district of Victoria (Minyip) and raised in the Western District of Victoria. My husband, Bruce, and I have been blessed with three children. We have recently been gifted with our first grandchild. Our home is situated in the scenic township of Dunkeld and we are members at Trinity Lutheran Church, Warrayure. During the week you will find me behind the front desk at Good Shepherd Lutheran College in Hamilton. I have worked at the college over the past 17 years. I wish to acknowledge my family – often the first to hear a new devotion, and all those people who encouraged and inspired me to keep writing, giving me opportunity to share these words. Finally, I thank and give all glory to God, who I know, without any doubt or hesitation, is the one who holds my pen. Often after I finish a devotion and read back over the words, I am flabbergasted that I actually wrote them. I know that there is a higher power directing my thoughts to paper. The Holy Spirit is at work here and I am always emotionally touched when I think that this God would even contemplate to use me to do his work. That is the true miracle. My prayer is that God will bless you through these devotions.