As a little girl growing up on a farm I remember the big pond and thinking how much fun it would be to swim. But Mother warned us never to go near the pond. She was scared we would drown and rightly so. One summer day my imagination about swimming got the best of me. I was playing in the old one-story coal shed. I decided to go to the open window and place my belly on the window sill. I began kicking my legs and moving my arms as if I were swimming; all the while yelling to my sister, “Look I’m swimming!” I bet you can guess what happened next. With all that kicking and waving my arms I lost my balance on the window sill and down to the ground I went. I knocked myself out! I’ve been told my poor twin sister went to get Mother screaming, “Judy’s dead!” The next thing I remember I was lying in bed with Mother standing over me checking me out. I’ve been told as Mother carried me into the house our pet lamb Josephine followed flinging little round brown balls behind her. With all the excitement no one knew how the lamb managed to get into the house. We thanked God I had no major injuries…just shook up from the knock out. I do believe God protected me. I bet you too can think of a time in your life when God was like a protective shield around you.
But you are a shield around me, O LORD. Psalm 3:3
Judy, Like you, I grew up on a farm and ice skated by myself yet never had an incident while on the pond. However, I think God protected me in many, many other situations and I give thanks for that guidance and protection.
Eric tells me Pastor Mike is retiring this summer. He will certainly be missed.
Betsyi