Be Still: Daily Encouragement for MomsSample

Up a Tree

I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me.-Jonah 2:2

My mother discovered my kitten Velvet atop the kitchen counter, devouring homemade bread. With a huff of frustration, she scooted her out the door. Hours later, we searched our yard for the missing cat without success. A faint meow whistled on the wind, and I looked up to the peak of a poplar tree where a black smudge tilted a branch.

In her haste to flee my mother’s frustration over her behavior, Velvet chose a more precarious predicament. Is it possible that we sometimes do something similar—running from our errors and putting ourselves in danger? Even then, God comes to our rescue.

The prophet Jonah fled in disobedience from God’s call to preach to Nineveh and was swallowed up by a great fish. “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the creature. He said, ‘I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me’ ” (JONAH 2:1–2). God heard Jonah’s plea and “ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach” (V. 10). Then God gave Jonah another chance (3:1–2).

After exhausting our efforts to woo Velvet down, we summoned the local fire department. With the longest ladder fully extended, a kind man climbed high, plucked my kitten from her perch, and returned to place her safely in my arms.

Oh, the heights and depths God goes to in rescuing us from our disobedience with His redeeming love!

ELISA MORGAN

How has God rescued you? What sins are you struggling with that you must bring to Him today?

Dear God, thank You for hearing me when I called out to You and for forgiving my sin by Jesus’ sacrifice.