Psalm 111:10a – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (ESV)

Recently, I had to bring my mother-in-law, Dora, to our home from 150 miles up the motorways of England. Due to strikes, the trains were presently unpredictable so car transport was the only possible way.

At the start, to be on the safe side, I always say a quick prayer for an uneventful trip. My wife, Caroline, says that I overthink everything, and I don't mind that aspersion because it means that I endeavour with God's help to be rarely caught out by life's little curveballs.

This particular Saturday, with very few lorries on the way, I had an exceptional journey north, so I managed to arrive to collect Dora for the return visit an hour earlier than I had expected. She was not yet packed because I was early, so I went for my usual walk in the local park to clear my head, to rest my eyes, and to reflect upon life and God.

Sadly, after the long journey, and in my tiredness, I had completely neglected to consider what I was wearing on my feet. My smooth driving shoes were totally inappropriate for walking down a wet, muddy track to a stream.

After I had slid violently down the path for the third time, I decided that now would be a good time to get off the mud, but too late. I jerked sideways and slipped. This triggered my fight-or-flight response, and adrenaline flooded my brain cells.

The effect was that my mind speeded up to react. It was as if time had slowed down! In the expanded time before impacting the path, I accepted my fate and reflected upon the pain that the fall was about to impart. This was followed by the thought of driving 150 miles with muddy clothes and the mess that it would make of the car seat from when I fell, splat!

As I waited for the impact, I didn't fall. Suddenly, I stopped. It was as if something were holding me up! It was as if Jesus had said, "It's okay — I gotcha!"

I was so grateful that I did not have to drive home all covered in mud. It was with a very real sense of relief that I understood that God was with me in that expanded moment. He had heard my cry for help. Many of God's unseen and unasked-for actions are hidden in the noise of doing everyday life, such as shaving an hour off my journey north, which I had accepted without a thought!

Let us give praise for receiving His kingdom, for all the times when God has helped us but has been with us out of sight, for the times when we asked for His help to save us, and more so for the times when we did not and He did!

Prayer: Lord, You hold us in the palm of Your hands. We marvel at Your faithfulness toward us sinners who stray and take You for granted. We say thank You, Jesus. Amen.