The Aerial View

Psalm 37:23. “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Recently while visiting a friend we got talking about the large pine trees in her front yard. They were randomly scattered around the lawn and over time had grown large and full. For many years they had provided hiding places for the children who played around them. For many hours they were an obstacle course for the lawn mower that had circled them. And on many days they provided a beautiful backdrop for family events and special pictures.

One day an aerial photographer flew by in his aircraft and took a picture of the property. Seeing the front yard from the photographer’s vantage point gave my friend a completely different perspective about her trees. They were not randomly planted after all. The landscaper who had lovingly set them in the rich soil had a plan. Though unseen from the ground, the picture from the sky showed that the pines formed a semicircle that surrounded the house – a fence of sorts providing protection from the strong winds and heavy snows.

Often it feels like our lives are full of random events – some of which are good and others which are frustrating or difficult. It is easy to feel that we are a victim of fate, but nothing could be farther from the truth. What we often can’t see from our vantage point is that each step we take is directed by the Lord. He does not miss a detail. The blessings, along with the trials, are perfectly planned for the purpose of helping us to grow and trust Him more.

Someday we will look back and see the aerial view. The seemingly incidental chain of events that make up our lives were actually planned and directed by our Creator. So don’t try to figure out everything that comes across your path – just live life one step at a time trusting the One who delights in every detail.

Love,

Mama