There in the silence, stood a little old church. Raggedy red curtains blowing with the wind gave way to a Saint’s den. It held none of the same material measures as the many Italian Churches preceding it. This one held so much more. This church was measured by prayerful sweat and tears. Pictured in my mind was a little old Italian woman, full of the Spirit of God. A floor which held many worn knees. Standing here felt like an honor. A place I didn’t want to leave. So quiet, you could hear God himself speak. Gazing around at the walls, and approaching the altar, I wondered if I should even be in there. It was a gift. We happened upon this church by accident.
Breathing in the stale musty air, I knew treasures like this were never by accident. Taking in this moment with God, my phone alerted me to the Bible verse of the day. Peering down to read the message, my heart filled with hope, awe, and wonder. God was speaking, His living, loving, life-breathing word. “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3. This is a promise I tuck deep inside my heart. Knowing its truth over the past 30 years, I cling to it still.
Guarding isn’t always what we think. For most of my life, I believed it meant bad things wouldn’t happen. Rather, I come to realize that despite the bad, God guards our hearts and minds. Through the sweat and the tears of laying ourselves before God, He protects us from getting lost in the circumstances trying to pull us under. He gets us through the perfect storms. He isn’t interested in shielding us from pain, but rather in strengthening and equipping us until you reflect Him and all His glory! This is how He establishes you.
~Walking Restored~ 