He Took Care of Me

"God will take care of you

Through every day, o'er all the way

He will take care of you

God will take care of you."

Civilla D. Martin, 1904 

1866-1948

   Unknown artist

Last week God took care of me. I had a commitment that I needed to fulfill, but four days before the event I came down with a cold. My nose stopped up and my throat felt different. What was I going to do?

I have been blessed not to be sick with a cold. flu or virus for many years now. I can't remember the last time I was ill. So, this sickness was unexpected and unwelcomed.

I started praying, asking God to not let this cold, or whatever it was, to grow inside of me, and to help me overcome the feeling of sickness. I started taking Tylenol and putting honey on the back of my throat. I had never put honey on my throat before, and I don't know where that idea came from.

The sickness didn't progress past the stuffed up nose and slight feeling on my throat. As I started my devotion time two days before the event, I picked up my hymnal. I read two hymns each morning, going page by page through the hymnal. When I turned to the hymn for that morning I got choked up. The title was: God Will Take Care of You. And I knew He would. I read the words and thanked Him for this encouragement.

I kept putting honey on the back of my throat. I asked Jerry to buy ice cream. It's always been a "go to" when we are sick. Early afternoon I fixed myself a milkshake and the rest of the day I didn't feel anything on my throat.

Always works!

I slept well Friday night and awoke Saturday being able to breathe through my nose and I felt nothing on my throat. God made it possible for me to keep my commitment. I felt almost 100% well when I left home to fulfill my commitment!

I was tired by the time it was over, and I had a rough night Saturday and didn't feel well Sunday morning, so I'm still taking care of myself. Yet God answered my prayer and made it possible for me to do what I had been asked to do.

God kept me from being fearful or nervous. He gave this introvert calm to be among many people and fulfill the job I was given to do. Maybe the sickness was used to help me not be anxious of doing something new and not feeling qualified. Our God works in mysterious ways.

When my friend asked me to take the pictures at her wedding last October I told her, "I'm an amateur." But she said she wanted me to do it. When we talked about it again, I reminded her that I was an amateur. She said, "I'm an amateur too!" I started laughing.

What an honor to take pictures at someone's wedding. To capture the love and commitment of two people joining their lives as one. Me, who takes pictures to capture God's creation and love. 

I was almost scared to download all the pictures to see what I had to work with. I started crying when I saw the pictures and thanked God for letting most of them turn out fine. A little enhancing here and there, and I think they will be pleased. Not professional or polished; just Carol's photography.

God always takes care of us. Sometimes how we want Him too, and other times what He knows is best for us. We can always count on Him because He's always with us!

So "be not dismayed whate'er betide" God will take care of you! Just ask.

By His Grace . . .