I prayed for the Lord to show me a good choice and He kept sending me back to Psalm 91. Not the whole Psalm of course which would not even fit on a Mr T sized cross – just the reference. She seemed very pleased and I hope that she can wear it all the time or at least keep it where she will be able to see it often. I told her I would pray that Psalm for her every day while she is gone. If you would like to do the same, here it is in it’s entirety:
Psalm 91
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
A lot of people have asked me how I will feel while she is gone. The only answer I have right now is that I am not sure. I hope I won’t worry. Worry is pointless and energy-sapping and gets between me and God. The fact is, child of ours that she may be, her life does not belong to us. That is not just because she is an adult now either. Her life doesn’t belong to her, or to Steve, her husband, or to any other person. She gave it to Him, so her life belongs to God and He will do with it as He wills. What will happen over the next year has already been written and I trust that no matter what, He will work all things together for good.
Thanks for sharing the Psalm. I will add your daughter to my daily prayers. I have always said that my children are not mine, but on loan from God. I will also pray that you will have victory over not worrying over her but being concerned is a Mom-given rite.
:-) I think the cross was a wonderful idea.
Ness
Psalm 91 has given me more comfort and peace in my life than I could ever convey. It has supported me through so many things, and I will consider it an honor to stand on this Psalm for Lauren while she is over in Iraq.
Janis
Okay, I have to somehow pull myself together and get to work looking through tear filled eyes. ( I hate it when I cry at work.)
Wow, what powerful words when we think of them in the context of what Lauren is facing. God’s Word is so perfect! It’s a reminder to all of us that whether we are in our comfort zones here at home or in the most difficult situations in our world, we’re safest when we’re trusting the Lord and under His portection.
Thanks for showing real faith in action!
CM
Good choice and very thoughtful gift.
I second Kelly. That is a wonderful gift. I hope she likes it.
And and big THANK YOU to your daughter Lauren for giving a year in Iraq.
it was a great gift!
-Lauren