His Care
by Mary Kroll
“In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone Oh Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
When you decide to write an Advent Devotional, you are asked to choose from a list of Bible verses. As I read through the list this year, I settled on a verse that immediately struck a familiar chord, “In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone Oh Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
I was attending a Bible class about “Boundaries” at Eastern Hills about 20 years ago. “What are boundaries?” I thought. The word, “boundary” was never really spoken while I was growing up. I guess I knew of an unspoken boundary: break dad’s rules and you will pay for it.
“In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone Oh Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
When you decide to write an Advent Devotional, you are asked to choose from a list of Bible verses. As I read through the list this year, I settled on a verse that immediately struck a familiar chord, “In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone Oh Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
I was attending a Bible class about “Boundaries” at Eastern Hills about 20 years ago. “What are boundaries?” I thought. The word, “boundary” was never really spoken while I was growing up. I guess I knew of an unspoken boundary: break dad’s rules and you will pay for it.
Another unspoken boundary was one of mom’s, “Whatever you do, don’t make dad mad!”
I decided at a very young age to always be a good girl, so I didn’t have to face the “strap.”
As a child, you don’t understand boundaries. Children can typically trust their parents to establish good ones. Sometimes children don’t know when other boundaries are being broken.
Where does peace come into this picture? After the boundaries class, I went home feeling exhausted. I felt a huge shift in my mind and thinking, it took a lot out of me. I got home and I heard God tell me to rest. Rest, something that was difficult to do in the past.
I laid down on my bed. It was quiet, I felt comforted and experienced a most pleasant peace. I felt God cradling me in His arms. He was soft and comforting. He was telling me that it will be okay. I felt safe and loved and whole. I slept for a few hours and woke up at dinner time. I was refreshed. I knew I was with God, and He took care of me. Praise God.
I decided at a very young age to always be a good girl, so I didn’t have to face the “strap.”
As a child, you don’t understand boundaries. Children can typically trust their parents to establish good ones. Sometimes children don’t know when other boundaries are being broken.
Where does peace come into this picture? After the boundaries class, I went home feeling exhausted. I felt a huge shift in my mind and thinking, it took a lot out of me. I got home and I heard God tell me to rest. Rest, something that was difficult to do in the past.
I laid down on my bed. It was quiet, I felt comforted and experienced a most pleasant peace. I felt God cradling me in His arms. He was soft and comforting. He was telling me that it will be okay. I felt safe and loved and whole. I slept for a few hours and woke up at dinner time. I was refreshed. I knew I was with God, and He took care of me. Praise God.
My Father, Jesus, my Savior, and precious Holy Spirit, thank You for being there for me. Thank You for giving me what I need when I need it. Thank You for being my King. Amen.
Return to blog.ehwc.org for a new Advent devotional December 1-25!