“Watch for me,”
my then ten-year-old sister, Tammy, said as she headed out to the basement of
our childhood home to retrieve some now forgotten item.
Our basement
access was from the outside, and after the sun set, the walk to it seemed
especially dark.
I would move to
my bedroom window, tracing her trek, waiting for her to make the trip back
safely inside. She would do the same for me when I had to make the journey.
Just knowing someone else saw comforted us.
“Watch for me.”
Those words echo in my mind. We all have a need for someone to watch over us. That
need goes to the very core of who we are.
The Psalmist wrote, "He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand . . . " (Psalm 121:3-5).
Even one of the names of God, El Roi, means “The God who sees” (Genesis 16:13).
It’s so good to know God doesn’t fall asleep at the wheel, is so
close we may sense his shadow upon us and that watcher is even an element of His identity—who He is.
We will light the first candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday―the
candle of hope. Over 2000 years ago in a crude stable, a baby’s cry pierced the
night and split history, because God wanted to provide a way for us to escape
our darkness―watching over us to give us hope and life eternal.
Since our childhood days, my sister and I have watched over each other during many other kinds of dark times like losing our parents and illness.
But more importantly, we both know God watches over us.
And friends, He watches over you, too. This year, may the celebration of His coming be especially meaningful to you.
If you're looking for a Christmas gift, Grace Publishing has just released an anthology called Merry Christmas Moments. I have an article in it entitled, "Sharing the Gospel from my Exploding Closet." Authors receive no royalties from this collection. Instead, proceeds go to Samaritan's Purse. HERE if you'd like to order.
