Elohim Machase Lanu, God Our Refuge.

Day 17.

Elohim Machase Lanu, God our refuge.

I can remember back in 2005 after evacuating from our home. My mom, younger brother and myself were going towards Tyler Texas. There were thousands of people on the roads trying to get to a safe place until the storm passed. Stopping at the gas stations to get food and gas during this time was dangerous. As we were riding through the cities on our way to Tyler we heard reports of murders at gas stations by people who were fighting over gas. That experience had to have been one of the most terrifying.

I remember when we finally made it to Tyler, the highway was packed with cars and my mom stopped at Alene's Florists to ask for directions. The people there were so nice. The business was a family run business and everyone was very helpful. Mrs. Alene's husband told my mom how to get to the nearest Walmart. We needed to get food and get a new tire because her tire had been low. As my mom attempted to leave the parking lot the tire went completely flat. He told my mom to let me and my brother stay at their shop with his wife and children while he drove my mom to Walmart. My brother and I sat and watched them make floral arrangements. I was so amazed at how gorgeous everything looked. They even showed me up close what to do to make an funeral arrangement.

By the time my mom returned with the new tire and Mrs. Alene's husband finished putting it on for us it was really dark outside and getting late. Mrs. Alene's daughter stayed next door to the shop. She offered us a place to stay for the night. My mom accepted and we stayed the night with Ms. Terry and her cat. The next morning we all said our goodbyes and thanked them for being such a blessing to us and went on our way.

Since I've developed a relationship with Christ and have joined my church I've learned to thank God in advance for all he's going to do for me in the future. Every time I pray I make sure I thank God for raising up somebody, somewhere to use their power, their ability, and their influence to help me and my family.

The night prior to us making it into Tyler, we slept in our car on the side of the road. I slept for a couple of hours then I woke up and saw my mom wasn't sleeping so I stayed up with her as long as I could. Me and my mom prayed that night that we would be safe and nothing or no one would attempt to hurt us. We prayed for a place to stay the next night and God raised up Mrs. Alene and her family to help us.

It's so easy to lose hope and become discouraged during the bad times, but even the bad times carry some good. Today I encourage you to trust that God is your refuge. You can always run to God and find safety. Believe even when everything seems to be falling apart that God is there with you protecting you and doing whatever it takes to ensure you make it to wherever he needs you to be at His designed time.

I am grateful for Elohim Machase Lanu, God our refuge!

“Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭62:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Love,

ChelCy

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