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Spiritual Growth

A God Who Sees All…and Protects His Own

October 11, 2022

I recently took my two dogs out to do their business and, as I stood on the back deck, patiently waiting for them to sniff, explore, pee, and more, I enjoyed the cool feel of this beautiful morning.

I saw at least two cardinals fly overhead, one sat on my neighbor’s fence for a time, allowing me to appreciate his vibrant red feathers. I saw a neighborhood dog roaming the streets several houses from my own. I saw the sun peeking through the puffy white clouds just overhead.

As I was lost in deep thoughts of what I needed to accomplish at work that day, I happened to see movement out of the corner of my eye. It was a lady walking, then…. several feet behind her (not on a leash) was her little dog, somewhat lagging behind.

Atlas, my trusty little black cockapoo, gets rather excitable when he sees other dogs, or people….or anything, really. He had not yet spotted this free-range dog roaming just one yard away from our own backyard.

Trying to avoid an early morning scene, in which I was forced to run through the neighbor’s yard to rescue my dog from his somewhat aggressive attempt to scare the lady walking with her little canine, I strategically called Atlas to the back deck.

He came willingly, still having not spotted the lady walking with her dog in the distance. I know her dog spotted my two dogs because he stopped on the sidewalk and stared directly at Atlas, causing me to hold my breath and move like lightening to get my own little dog inside before he spotted the other dog.

I know if Atlas noticed this dog, it would have been an all-out bark fest and while likely that would be the extent of the aggression, I had not the time nor the energy to deal with it. I quickly placed myself in the line of sight between Atlas and the mystery dog and ushered him inside for his breakfast.

Crisis averted!

As I was thinking this scenario over, it occurred to me how God must sometimes feel toward his children. I believe that at times, He calls us to things we do not understand…to protect us from things we cannot see. Just like I do with my own little furry companion.

The Lord says,

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

psalm 32:8
A God who sees all: We may not know what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future is a comfort like none other.

Perhaps that friendship that fizzled out and sorta broke your heart was a blessing in disguise and saved you from future heartache.

Maybe the job offer that failed to pan out was simply keeping you open for a better suited position which has yet to present itself.

I wonder if that health issue you are facing is preparing you for a blessing of healing, but your current suffering is providing a reassuring testimony for others, closely following your journey, and lifting you up diligently in prayer.

These days, there are so many devastating things happening in our world. It can be overwhelming (and heartbreaking) just sitting through a half hour session of the local news.

While we may not understand certain decisions that are made, or the lawlessness shown in our local communities, or the rights seemingly stripped from countless Americans in our midst, could it be possible that these very signs are propelling us toward a strong desire to take action, stand up for our beliefs, listen to our fellow residents, and come together with a common theme of making America great again?

Related: Some Things are Not Meant to be, But God’s Path for us is

We cannot possibly know what the future holds or what dangers lurk in the distant shadows. Yet, through faith, we know that our God does know these things. And he is either preparing his children, or protecting his children, likely both, for what is soon to come.

We may not know what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future is a comfort like none other.

I, for one, am thankful He sees what my failing human eyes cannot see, and protects me from what likely is not even a blip on my radar.

In addition to thanking God for the obvious blessings in life, don’t forget to thank him for those not so apparent. The very blessings that may just save us…from ourselves.

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Manndi Wilkins

Manndi Maphies DeBoef works at the UMKC School of Pharmacy and as a freelance writer in her spare time. Her greatest passion is being a boy mom to her two rambunctious, creative, endearing sons, William, age 11 and Waylan, nearly 9. Her sons never fail to provide daily entertainment, which inspires many of her writings. She also loves to write about everything from being a single mom and dating after divorce to finding love later in life, the devastation of miscarriage, the loss of a loved one and starting over. Her pieces are lovingly filled with inspiration, encouragement and always a touch of humor. “Live a life others wish to read about.”

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Welcome to Salt + Sparrow, a place where we learn about Jesus, the Bible, and find big faith in small things.

"The life I’m called to live is displayed in the "The life I’m called to live is displayed in the way Jesus lived his life. Living out my purpose means to do my best to love and serve others like Jesus did, and let God’s light shine through me so that He may be glorified."

@jenjabbour 

 #faith #momsoffaith #christianmoms #relationshipwithgod #christians #christianmother #christianliving #jesusalways #truth #faithinmotion #christianlifestyle #prayer #purpose
Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth #faithquotes #christ Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth 

#faithquotes #christianmoms #truth #blessed #relationshipwithgod #prayer #christianmomma #christianlifestyle #christianity #faithblogger #christianmother #faithinmotion #faithblog #christianliving #christians #momsoffaith #biblestudy #jesusalways #faith #bibleverse #pray
Every single person you meet was created by, and l Every single person you meet was created by, and loved by God. 

Even the ones who have hurt you. 

Next time you’re tempted to act out in anger, or envy, or hurt.. stop for a moment and think.. how would Jesus behave in this situation? 

Learning to respond to others for who they are rather than what they’ve done… or the emotion their actions have triggered in you, will bring you peace and freedom. 

💛
.
.
.
.
.
#faithblogger #christianblogger #christianwomen #christianlifestyle
I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option, by Bianca Juarez Olthoff. And it couldn’t have come into my life at a better time.

I think we’ve all gone through times in our life when failure has threatened to keep us down. When getting back up after yet another fall feels seemingly impossible.

And I hate to break it to you, but we will all face failure at some point in our lives. Sometimes repeatedly. But the really amazing thing about failure is that it give us options:

We can either let failure destroy our confidence and our faith and keep us from living up to our full potential.

Or we call view failure as another chance.

Embracing failure is a concept that may be difficult to adopt at first, but when we can view failure as a learning opportunity and quickly get back up on our feet, we win. It’s also a chance to turn to God and say hey.. here’s my weakness. And it’s only through our weaknesses that we can turn to God and find His strength.

So.. are you going to change the way you view failure? Or are you going to let it hold you back?

@biancaolthoff 

I'll link a giveaway for this book in stories so go check it out there!

#gritdontquit #gritdontquitbook #bookstagram #grit #christianbooks
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About

"The life I’m called to live is displayed in the "The life I’m called to live is displayed in the way Jesus lived his life. Living out my purpose means to do my best to love and serve others like Jesus did, and let God’s light shine through me so that He may be glorified."

@jenjabbour 

 #faith #momsoffaith #christianmoms #relationshipwithgod #christians #christianmother #christianliving #jesusalways #truth #faithinmotion #christianlifestyle #prayer #purpose
Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth #faithquotes #christ Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth 

#faithquotes #christianmoms #truth #blessed #relationshipwithgod #prayer #christianmomma #christianlifestyle #christianity #faithblogger #christianmother #faithinmotion #faithblog #christianliving #christians #momsoffaith #biblestudy #jesusalways #faith #bibleverse #pray
Every single person you meet was created by, and l Every single person you meet was created by, and loved by God. 

Even the ones who have hurt you. 

Next time you’re tempted to act out in anger, or envy, or hurt.. stop for a moment and think.. how would Jesus behave in this situation? 

Learning to respond to others for who they are rather than what they’ve done… or the emotion their actions have triggered in you, will bring you peace and freedom. 

💛
.
.
.
.
.
#faithblogger #christianblogger #christianwomen #christianlifestyle
I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option, by Bianca Juarez Olthoff. And it couldn’t have come into my life at a better time.

I think we’ve all gone through times in our life when failure has threatened to keep us down. When getting back up after yet another fall feels seemingly impossible.

And I hate to break it to you, but we will all face failure at some point in our lives. Sometimes repeatedly. But the really amazing thing about failure is that it give us options:

We can either let failure destroy our confidence and our faith and keep us from living up to our full potential.

Or we call view failure as another chance.

Embracing failure is a concept that may be difficult to adopt at first, but when we can view failure as a learning opportunity and quickly get back up on our feet, we win. It’s also a chance to turn to God and say hey.. here’s my weakness. And it’s only through our weaknesses that we can turn to God and find His strength.

So.. are you going to change the way you view failure? Or are you going to let it hold you back?

@biancaolthoff 

I'll link a giveaway for this book in stories so go check it out there!

#gritdontquit #gritdontquitbook #bookstagram #grit #christianbooks
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

"This verse isn’t promising that bad things won’t happen. It simply reminds us nothing can touch us when we live in Christ Jesus. We might experience loss and hardship, but our ultimate destination is heavenly perfection. 

So today, if you are living consumed with fear, practice surrender.

Take a deep breath and know that no matter what, you are loved and you will be ok.

God is Big Enough to hold our biggest hurts and make them beautiful." 

@mrsheidivegh 

#christianmomma #christians #christianlifestyle #faithblogger #christianmother #faithblog #faithquotes #relationshipwithgod #faithinmotion #prayer #christianliving #christianmoms #momsoffaith #truth #christianity #blessed
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