Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to a wonderful day! We had an enjoyable time of retreat yesterday and today we head home again. Thank you for prayers as we travel the miles, and we go home refreshed and thankful for the wonderful time with family too.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  My husband and I decided to take a day of retreat on our way home from our time in Kansas with family. We stayed at the Drury and I went swimming soon after arrival. It was an indoor/outdoor pool and as I looked up while swimming, I noticed the beautiful clouds that looked like feathers with sunrays shining through. I marveled at the softness and brightness and how they looked like feathered wings. Since I was the only one in the pool, I began softly singing a familiar hymn as I swam and pictured the Lord carrying me on His wings. The song was composed in 1899 by Ira Sankey and the lyrics by William Cushey and the words are:

 “Under His wings I am safely abiding; Though the night deepens and tempests are wild, Still I can trust Him—I now He will keep me; He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

  Refrain: Under his wings, under His wings, Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely, abide forever.”

 The other verses tell how He is a refuge when we go through times of sorrow and is our balm and comfort. We can always, always trust Him for He is our shelter where we can remain hidden until our trials are over.
When King David was needing a place of refuge from his enemy, he didn’t hesitate to call out to the Lord. He said, “Hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.” (Psalm 17:8-9). We can also call out to the Lord, just as he did, and when our hope is in Him, he will renew our strength and we will begin soaring like the eagles. (Isaiah 40:31)
  Let us remember He is our safe place no matter what is happening and protect us under His wings.

Challenge for today: The next time you go through sorrow and times of darkness, call out to the Lord and let Him hide you under His wings.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy