The groceries had been purchased and I pushed the cart to the parking lot. In a matter of minutes, I had loaded them into the car and thrust the cart into the area designated for “empties”. At home I completed the chore of carrying them all in the house, then returned to the garage to retrieve my purse.
No purse.
Panic. I had left it in the cart at Walmart. I probably broke some rules as I sped back to the store (without a driver’s license). Visions of all that could go wrong if someone else had my purse flitted through my head. No accidents occurred. I arrived and parked next to the empty cart area. And there was my purse, resting in the child’s seat.
Relief.
Can you imagine Joseph’s relief as he pondered what to do about his fiancé’s pregnancy when an angel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.” She hadn’t been unfaithful to him.
Even though the truth was surreal, he felt a sense of relief.
And now, we are living through a pandemic. We are actually creating a history that will be remembered in the future. For each of us, the consequences of the virus vary. Some will hardly experience illness while others will die. The vast majority around the world live under stress and in great fear.
What about you?
As a Christ-follower, I believe that nothing passes through God’s hands without His approval. He is very aware of our circumstances. And since I am a child of His, I can rest in peace. I do not have to suffer anxiety. He knows me and has a plan for my life. I may make it through unscathed. I may not make it. Either way, it’s ok.
What a relief.
“…..You have given me relief when I was in distress…..” Psalm 4:1 (ESV)
