A Blessing from Above

A gray-haired lady-friend took a chance and regretted it. She climbed onto a chair to fetch something, slipped and fell. Weeks later, after doctor visits and therapy, her back still pains her.

The tall, upright freezer in my garage needed a good wash on the outside. I am tall, but not tall enough to wash the top of it. Remembering my friend, I was determined to scale the heights without incident. I took a white plastic chair, the kind “everybody” keeps on their porch, and positioned it firmly against the freezer door. A thick rug on the floor helped to lodge it tightly. I tested it, pulling it this way and that. Perfect! Next I got a firm hold on the top ridge of the freezer door, an extra assurance should I lose my balance. Now I was certain I’d be safe.

Placing my right foot on the chair, I vaulted upward — and bashed my head on an empty plastic bucket hanging from the rafters directly above me! I laid my arms and head on the top of the freezer and laughed myself silly. God was laughing too. He said, “Carol, your best efforts at protecting yourself in this world will never be enough. I am your Rock, your Refuge, your Strong Tower. Trust Me to keep you.”

That day the benediction closing the book of Jude fell on my head:

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.