…how often I’ve longed to gather your children, gather your children like a hen, her brood safe under her wings – but you refused and turned away! And now it’s too late… (St Luke 13:34-35)(1)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:1-4) (2)
I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:4) (3)
As I stepped out to the backyard, my eye caught the slightest of movements. I immediately froze. Not three feet away from me was a dove. She had chosen to nest in one of my hanging baskets. What I had seen was the tail of her hatchling disappearing under mom’s feathery wings. I cautiously proceeded with my gardening tasks, mindful that I was under the watchful eyes of a very protective mother. It was then the Lord reminded me of the passages of Scripture.
The young bird stayed under her wings. Every now and then it would peek out at me but as long as I stayed in the garden, it never came out. I heard the mother cooing warnings and the baby would head back to the safe place. Again I heard the Scriptures echoing in my heart. Curiosity has often gotten the better of me causing me to be exposed to danger even as He warned me to remain with Him. I imagine if I was half as obedient as that little bird was, I may have been spared many a heartache.
I stopped to think of the number of times I had gotten burnt simply because I refused to heed His warnings. Yet, despite my hardheadedness, He’s still there with open arms, waiting for me to run to Him. I also thought of the days I felt certain I was under His wings, yet danger caught up with me… Despite the circumstances, He is not taken by surprise and if He does allow pain, He provides a soothing balm.
Maybe today you feel like you’ve been unmercifully exposed. Maybe you’re tired of taking the pressure and your heart is saying this is all you can take. Please take comfort in the fact that He is still in control … regardless! You may cry all night but joy will come in the morning. You may not feel His wings around You but know that He has never taken His eyes off you.
Father, I thank You for this experience with the birds. Sometimes Your lessons come so simply that we miss the message. I am thankful for the security that comes from being under Your wings. Some days I don’t feel so secure but I choose to believe that You are holding me in Your hands and that nothing can get to me unless You give the go ahead. Your wings are there for refuge and refuge is a place for those who are in danger. I am thankful I have somewhere to run to when the pressure mounts!
I know that Your name is a strong tower. I will run to You and be safe even when I don’t feel like running. I am thankful that my conditions cannot deny the fact that You are a good, gracious and merciful God. I know that I am not exempt from trials and testing but I know that You are never far from me. In the midst of my situation, I will cry out to You and trust You to protect me. Amen
Blessings,
ann
Scripture References:
(1) Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright � 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.”
(2-3) Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Toni R
(c)
© Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s Blog, 2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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Moore to ponder
Ann,
This post was so full of comfort! I am so glad you shared it.
Blessings,
Theresa
Ann
Thank you, Theresa
May the Great Comforter wrap His arms around you today.
Blessings,
ann
Margaret
Hi Ann,
Your experience with the dove is similar to what I’ve been experiencing for several years now…. We have a nook in a corner of our roof in which sparrows nest every summer…. They are high up, but still on guard while I work on the flowers below…. Some time ago, I used that experience with the same verse from Luke to express your same thoughts in a devotional post…. I cannot recollect the title or date, but God’s lesson to us is still the same…. Thank you for sharing.
Love,
Margaret
Ann
Thanks, Margaret
Isn’t that wonderful!? I like when God does that. Lord, You are amazing!
Praying that His wings will shelter and protect you today! (Please pop by with the link as soon as you find it.)
Blessings,
ann
Margaret
Boy, Ann, you sure are a lot of work! 🙂
It took a whole lot of searching, but I finally found it…. It’s a post I wrote in 2006 for a church web site….. It’s amazing how fast time flies…. I didn’t think it was all that long ago…. I will post it on WordPress on Friday as the Thursday post is already scheduled.
Love,
Margaret
Ann
Super!!
Thanks, Margaret 🙂
I’m looking forward!
Blessings,
ann
Pat
“What a powerful picture”! I am so over whelmed by this post,10 stars for sure,my mind and heart is so full I cannot even stand it,I guess I’ll run now Ann and get my dance on like David did.
Thanks Love you 😀 😀 😀
Ann
Thank you, Sister Pat
Praise His holy name! 🙂
God dance, sister. May His praises fill your heart and overflow from your lips. I praise alongside you!! 🙂
Praying He will surround you today and that you will always remember that you do not walk alone. He has promised that He will not leave and He will not forsake. Even when it seems that you’re facing the elements alone, always remember that He’s right there with you 🙂
Stay blessed!
ann
Pat
“Amen,amen!!!!
Thank you Ann for the great reminders and so much encouragement.
😀 😀
Ann
Most welcome, Sister Pat
Great how He provides for all our needs. Bless His name 🙂
Blessings,
ann
Debbie
Oh Ann . . .this is precious. We had doves once right by our mailbox in a bush. We had to walk by them multiple times, every day. I never once saw the babies. The momma dove did such a good job of sheltering them. 🙂
I have a situation which God asks me not to give details of. It would be hard to explain anyway. But what you describe, the shelter of His wings . . .I live there daily. There are times when I feel exposed and unprotected, but it is just a feeling and not the truth. 🙂
God bless you as He continues to hide you in the shelter of His love!
Ann
Thank you, Delightful Deb
God bless you over and over again!
I see you as that mama bird. :d
May God continue to give you strength as you walk through the present tests. Our current states can be a tad scary at times but thanks for the heads-up. They look real but they’re not!
Let’s keep praying for each other.
Blessings,
ann
kenisha
I believe our father looks out for us and protects us from danger far more than we realize but its not something we can take for granted,we should pray about it.
Part of being protected by God has to do with obeying him and living in his will.When we don’t do either of those things,we come out from under the umbrella of his covering and We don’t hear his voice telling us which way to go.God is a place of safety we can run to,but it helps if we are running to him on a daily basis so that we are in familiar territory.His word says”In the fear of the lord there is strong confidence and his children will have a place of refuge”.(Prov 14:26).When we have our eyes on God,he keeps his eyes on us.
Lord,I pray you keep your hand of protection on me.Protect me wherever I go.Lord,I want to dwell in your secret place and shadow.Keep me under your umbrella of protection.Help me never to stray from the center of your will nor off the the path you have for me.Enable me to always hear your voice guiding me.Send your angels to keep charge over me and keep me in all my ways.father,thank you for your promises of protection.I claim them in Jesus name.
Sister A,thank you so much for the reminder that brought peace.I pray that everyone who reads this find comfort.May God bless you hundreds upon hundrethfold.Keep blessing us as he blesses you.*hugs*
Kenisha
Ann
Thank you, Sister K
God is a place of safety we can run to,but it helps if we are running to him on a daily basis so that we are in familiar territory.
Oh man… you’ve gone and hit something really big here…
If we don’t know how to get to Him, we may find ourselves running in the wrong direction when the dam breaks. My goodness … thanks for pointing this out.
Thanks for praying for us. God bless you a hundredfold and may He draw you even closer to Himself.
Blessings,
ann
Sherry
This went home……He’s still in Control. Thank God!!!!
Ann
Thanks for popping by, Sis 🙂
Praising with you!!
Blessings,
ann
Linda Kruschke
Ann, This was a very comforting post. I love this line: “I imagine if I was half as obedient as that little bird was, I may have been spared many a heartache.” This is so true for me, too. Some trials will come our way no matter what we do, but I suspect I could have cut mine at least in half if I had always been (and always was now) completely obedient to God. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of the doves. Peace, Linda
Ann
Thank you, Linda
I bless His name for what He taught from this experience.
Praying we will hear and heed.
Blessings,
ann
pbus1
Hi Ann,
I enjoyed reading your post. The story you shared about the dove, was precious! It reminded me of a few lyrics to a song.
——————————————
Because the Lord is my shepherd,
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in the meadow’s grass,
and He leads me beside the quiet streams.
He restoreth my failing health,
and He helps me to do what honors Him the most;
that’s why I’m safe, that’s why I’m safe,
that’s why I’m safe, in His arms.
Thank you for sharing. May God continue to bless and keep you, in His care!
Paulette
Ann
Thank you, Minister Paulette 🙂
You sure do know how to pick the good ones! 😉
“May God continue to bless and keep you, in His care!”
Returned to you a hundredfold!
Blessings,
ann
bendedspoon
That is such a lovely moment Ann. Can’t control my tears for the truth in your post as experienced all throughout this week. I was so busy and felt pressured but not weakened nor frightened because I am confident I am on His wings.
I thought this is so good for mother’s day — and for Father’s day too! 🙂
Ann
Thank you, Princess
I bless His name for the way He keeps you covered 😉 (Trying hard not to cry too….)
Praying you will continue to experience the peace that comes only from Him.
Blessings,
ann
meetingintheclouds
In our daily experience with our great Redeemer, we have so many reasons to be thankful for the times that He warns us of danger. He is indeed a great God who lavishes His care on His children.
Ann
Thank you, Angela
Bless His name! In psalm 139 the psalmist speaks of His thoughts toward is noting that He could fall asleep and wake us still counting!
Thankful we serve the God who has our best interest at heart. We don’t always get just how special we are to Him.
Blessings as you continue to share His love.
ann