| Psalm 17:6-8 – “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” |
I grew up in an age before cell phones or even call waiting and answering machines. In fact, the farm where I lived as a child had only one phone that was on a party line. This phone was not for long conversations with friends but rather for quick messages or emergencies. Even after we moved to town and had two phones (one upstairs and one down) we still were to only use it for a few minutes at a time. Nothing would frustrate one of my parents more than for them to try to call home and get a busy signal!
I remember a time when I was about 20 years old and had car trouble. I walked to a pay phone (another thing we don’t see anymore) and tried to call my dad. Over and over I called, only to get a busy signal. It was cold and snowy and getting dark. I was stranded quite far from my apartment and had no idea what else to do. I could not imagine what was going on at home for the phone to be busy for so long. Finally, I was able to get through, and found out that somehow the phone at home had not been hung up properly and was off the hook. I was so relieved when my dad finally answered and then came to help me!
Isn’t it great to know that God is always there to answer when we call? There are no busy signals, no phones left off the hook, no leaving a message at the beep for him to get back to us later. We are not left alone and stranded when we need him the most. And this line is NOT just for emergencies! He actually wants to talk to us and for us to share all parts of our lives with him, both the bad and the good. This line of communication is to work both ways as we talk with him and are in tune with him enough to hear his responses.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that I always have an open and direct line to you, and that you are never too busy to hear me when I call. Help me to be more comfortable talking to you all throughout my day, and not just when I am in trouble. Amen.
– Betty Gossell
