Count Your Blessings #85 – Safe and Sound

Yesterday morning I was out on one of my regular morning walks listening to a podcast from NCC, it was great. As I got closer to home I looked down at my phone (which was playing my podcast) and saw that there was still 10 minutes to run. I only had a couple of minutes left to walk and there was a nice bench there next to me.

I’ve done this a few times, it’s nice to sit and listen even though it feels a bit strange to be doing it early in the morning with a steady stream of dog walkers passing by.

As I sat there, looking over towards the rising sun (even though it was hidden by a few clouds) a felt a chill blow against my back. It felt as if some huge beast was walking up behind me, then I saw a flash from it’s teeth and heard it roar. It was a huge roar that rumbled around the small valley where I was seated.

I turned to face the beast, it was approaching fast. It flashed its teeth again giving out another mighty roar. I decided that retreat was a better course of action and set off for home.

The beast was in hot pursuit but I managed to make it home before the beast caught me up – safe-and-sound. There was no way it was going to get me now.

Having escaped from the beast I made a coffee and set off for my study for a time of quiet. Before sitting down for quiet I looked out of the window to see what the beast was doing.

Kneeling on the sofa in my study I watched as another flash of lightening cracked across the sky, counting the seconds before the thunder arrived. Another flash, more counting. The rain beat against the window driven forward by the wind of the storm. I was safe-and-sound.

It reminded me of being a young child. The house I was bought up in had a bay-window. In one corner there was a small wooden footstool with a wicker top which my Dad had made as school or college (I forget which). The stool was just the right height for me to sit on comfortably and watch out of the window with only my head showing. I felt like I was watching the world go by, but that no-one could see me. This was a special place, especially when there was a storm outside. I loved to watch the ladies as they walked past with umbrellas out of control. I delighted to see the children as then jumped in the puddles oblivious to their parents desire for them to stay dry. I longed to watch the cars plowing through the small ponds by the side of the road dispersing the water onto any unsuspecting passer by. I was safe-and-sound.

Then I sat down and read, as I regularly do, today’s Psalm. To my amazement today, of all days, was the ultimate safe-and-sound Psalm, Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd;
      I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
      he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
   He guides me along right paths,
      bringing honour to his name.
Even when I walk
      through the darkest valley,
   I will not be afraid,
      for you are close beside me.
   Your rod and your staff
      protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
      in the presence of my enemies.
   You honour me by anointing my head with oil.
      My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
      all the days of my life,
   and I will live in the house of the Lord
      forever.

I AM safe-and-sound.