Refrain: God will take care of you, Through ev'ry day,O’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you. - Civilla Durfee Martin (1905)
Those words make up the first verse of a popular hymn now over one hundred years old, God Will Take Care of You. The lyrics by Civilla Martin are timeless, for God is always standing by to take care of our problems if we only ask Him for His help. She wrote them when she was home ailing and her husband had a long trip to make by himself. She was supposed to go with him and she was worried about his safety until her young son to her not to worry, for God would take care of him, just as he will of you and me. I was reminded of that recently when I received word from a dear friend of something impending that would destroy a good friend if it took place. Something had to be done fast.
It was Memorial Day and I was sitting in my easy chair with my Kindle Book when a Facebook message popped up and startled me. It was from an old friend and he just said he was very sad, tired of getting old and just didn't want to live any longer. He was thinking about taking his life. For a moment, I sat there stunned, then read it again and realized this was something really serious. So, I went to my computer, logged in and sent him a message, hoping he was still online, saying "don't do anything until I talk with you." Then I called his home number and finally after three tries he picked up. He was very morose and sounded inebriated. I just got him talking.
My wife heard me from the other room and as I talked, she came to my side saying softly for me to give her his name and number. He was too far away from us, hundreds of miles, to rush to him so she did the next best thing and called the police in that city. I continued to talk with him as the dispatcher said to her they were sending officers but then, suddenly. the phone went dead. At that point the police dispatcher said he had to get off the line but would follow through. There was nothing more we could do. I remember saying a prayer for him that night and the next day. I was tied up with my Mohs surgery on my ear all day so could do nothing further. And I've got to tell you, after the surgery was much more drastic than expected and when I say just how extensive it was, I was a bit overcome temporarily, thinking the worst about my friend's situation and my own. The only thing I could do at that point was pray, and I did so in earnest. It was only then that I heard that lovely hymn, God Will Take Care of You ringing in my ears and I realized He was right there with me.
Well, before going home dog tired that evening, the doctor showed me what he had done after the picture I had originally seen and before dressing my aching ear. I was truly amazed how he had been able to make it look almost like new. Oh, it would take time to heal, but in the end it would be quite normal, the difference only noticeable on close inspection. But the greater thing happened the next day when, resting at home, I went on line early in the morning as I routinely do. There, awaiting me was a message from my friend's little sister who I had forgotten follows my writing. It said that the family had been able to access his smart phone and they found my quick note in response to his on that fateful day. And she told me that, if as it appeared, I had intervened with my wife, they were very thankful. He was cared for and would be observed for several days to find out just what was going on in his head and yes, he did have a gun in his possession but the phone went dead when he fell and hit his head. I responded to her with a thank you, and then I wrote to my friend saying that I understood he might not want to be in touch any longer, but that I did what I did because I couldn't just let his comment go by without action. I ended by saying that he still had something great to offer others and his family and that I loved him like a brother. The next day he responded by telling me that I need not worry, that I had done the right thing and he loved me as well.
The only thing left that I can say is that in my moment of concern, both for him and my own physical alteration going on, God took care of both of them. Yes, He listened to my prayers and they were answered. And he worked diligently through my wife as well and I am oh, so pleased. So, thank you, Lord and friends, He'll do the same thing for you as well if only you are willing to sincerely ask. He always responds well to those who love Him, for he is all about Love. Have a blessed and wonderful Lord's Day.