Craig Clouston

 Ever Present

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Janet was frantic! She’d turned her back for only a moment, and when she turned around, Josh was nowhere in sight. “Josh!” she screamed again and again with no response. Oh, dear God! What do I do? her mind screamed. “Josh! Where are you? Joshua?” She ran in an ever-widening circle, hoping her screams would carry to wherever he was. Composing herself, Janet pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911.

“Deltona 911 operator. What is your emergency?” came the voice on the other end of the line.

Janet related events as calmly as she could. “My name is Janet Grady. I’m at Riverside Park on the west side of town. My son, Joshua, is missing. I turned around to get something out of my purse, and when I turned back, he was gone!”

“Janet,” the woman said calmly, “how old is Josh and what is he wearing?”

Of course, she thought. “He’s three and is wearing a gray tee shirt that says ‘Daddy’s Boy’ on the front with blue jeans and white tennis shoes.”

“All right, Janet,” the woman said confidently. “Stay on the line with me. I have officers en route. They should be there momentarily.”

“I hear sirens!” Janet said as their growing intensity confirmed the operator’s statement.

In less than five minutes, officers found young Joshua. He’d wandered over the hill behind where they were picnicking and had found a shallow creek. He was fine other than being soaked from head to toe.

†

Today’s story parallels our spiritual journey. Many times, whether by impulse or ambition, we set off on our own and turn our backs on God, thinking His back then is turned on us. We take detours we were never intended to take, doing ourselves harm spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically.

We travel along until one day we discover we are miserable. Turning around, we look for God, expecting Him to be miles away. But unlike the scene in the park, God is ever present. He is always right behind us, waiting to reach down, pick us up, and dust us off. He never turns His back on us, ever!

Prayer

“Thank You for always being where I’m at, Lord. Help me walk with instead of away from You. Amen.”