Our new puppy is very mellow and calm.  He’s easygoing and not perturbed by the loudest of trucks, guns, or fireworks.  He likes kids, cats, and other dogs.  He’s just a chill personality, until . . .

I got down on the floor, got out an electrical massage pad and laid down on it.  Puppy was delighted to have me at an accessible level and plopped right down beside me until . . . I turned on the massager with its sounds and vibrations.  He was so startled and alarmed that he ran in circles in one direction, then ran in reverse circles while shaking his head.  His little paws couldn’t get traction on the hardwood floor and he ran in place for a second before he got to dear Husband’s chair in one long bound.  He ran behind the chair momentarily but soon gathered his wits enough to realize that what he really wanted was his master.  So he came beside Husband’s recliner and looked pleadingly up at him.  Husband scooped him up and cuddled him in his arms.  Our puppy knows the safest place.  He knows who is always willing to rescue him.

Have you ever felt like you had the rug pulled out from under you, but instead of instantly hitting the floor you were in a free fall with no floor?  That was our experience lately. The bottom dropped out of a very important part of our lives.  (I can’t go into details.)  You know that bottom-dropping-out sensation. Loss comes in many forms- financial, health, relationships, spiritual.  We get comfortable and hum along until a diagnosis, a relationship break-up, a job loss, a death, church problems, or a financial crisis remind us we’re not in charge.  These can leave us spinning out of control if we don’t understand one thing. 

Want to know the one thing that will help us in whatever uncertain circumstances we find ourselves in?  Although it feels like we’re in a free fall, we are actually falling into the ever-ready arms of our eternal God.  When disappointment, loss, or separation overtakes us, we can count on our Heavenly Father to catch us.  This thought was a huge comfort to me lately when I felt like we were in a free fall in one area of our lives.  One morning our untethered-ness was particularly  painful.  But God showed up in such a personal way with gentle guidance.  We ended up at a destination we hadn’t planned on, but it was just right for us. He encouraged us and gave us hope.  He does catch us!

“The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.”  Deuteronomy 33:27

Those arms are ready not only to catch us but to carry us when we just can’t figure out a way forward.  When we let ourselves rest in his arms, he takes us where we need to go.  Literally, in our case, and also figuratively.

“you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” Deuteronomy 1:31

“Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
For each day he carries us in his arms. 
Our God is a God who saves!”  Psalm 68:19-20

God not only catches us and carries us, but he also cares for us.  He is more than an emergency responder.  He wants to take care of us in our everyday lives.  He’s willing to help us from our first breath to our last.  

“I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.”  Isaiah 46:3-4

“God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.”  Jude 1:1

  Part of his loving care is protection.  He shields our hearts and souls from attack.  We’re not guaranteed health and wealth, but we are promised protection for our inner person- our hearts, minds, and souls.  When hurt tries to tear us apart, we run to the only safe place- our Refuge and Defender. It’s no secret that our lives are full of disruption, both big and small.  We don’t have ultimate control.  We need Someone stronger.  No matter what person or circumstance threatens us, we have a safe place to run to. Our hearts are safe in Him.

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

“The Lord is my rock, 
my fortress, 
and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, 
the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, 
my savior..”  2 Samuel 22:3

“you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.”  Psalm 61:3

“He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.”  Psalm 144:2

His tender care extends from this life into eternity.

“Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

Once again Husband and I have found that God catches us when we’re reeling from a loss, carries us to a better place, and cares for us on the daily.  He lovingly protects our hearts and minds from fear and attacks from our spiritual enemy.  He catches, he carries, and he cares.

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”  2 Timothy 4:18