CLOSE CALLS

FullSizeRender (164) Sutherland

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1 NIV

We were transporting three dogs north recently. Journey is a husky/lab mix who was having trouble relaxing. She hadn’t slept all day. As soon as her eyes would close, a tractor-trailer would pass. Her eyes would pop open and she would look around anxiously.

Our other two passengers, Stewart and Sutherland, were four month old puppy brothers. Nothing seemed to bother them. They were quite relaxed, eyes closed and napping. Stewart was laying on his back with his paws up in the air, dreaming puppy dreams.

I chose to sit beside Journey so I could pet her and hope to make her comfortable in her unknown surroundings. If I stopped petting her, she nuzzled my hand letting me know she liked the attention. She cuddled close and eventually laid her head in my lap.

It was rush hour traffic in the city so it was not surprising when the traffic started backing up on the highway. A few quick stops were required and the brakes slammed waking Journey from her rest.

I assured the little husky that all was fine. My peripheral vision noted a tractor-trailer truck to our left stopping. I hadn’t realized there was a lane to our left as we were in the passing lane. I calmly thought that the truck driver must have had to go to our left to avoid hitting us and was in the median. Feeling like everything was happening in slow motion, I saw the smoke from his brakes. The truck didn’t move for a long time as reality set in. We had almost been plowed into by a very, very large truck.

It was a close call. We hadn’t realized we were in any danger but God knew. He was our refuge, our shield, and our protector. Even after reality set in, it took me a few minutes to thank him for his protection as I never felt in any danger.

How many times a day do I have a close call and not realize it? Our God never slumbers or sleeps. (Psalm 121:4) He is our safe haven 24/7.

Temptation, trials and dangers lurk but we can fall asleep safely knowing that our God reigns. He knows our path and will walk beside us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) Psalm 3:5 tells us, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.”

Journey was anxious but finally rested not knowing of imminent danger. Stewart was stretched out in the back and never had a sleepless moment. Sutherland just opened his eyes, glanced around, and snuggled up in his blankie. It was a slow realization for me that we had all been saved from disaster. Ephesians 6:12 says that, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”.

We may never know how many close calls we have avoided. II Chronicles 20:15 tells us the battle is the Lords so we know who wins. We can rest like the puppies, knowing we are safe in His hands.