A Repellent Gift

I heard a true story at Bible study last night that I just had to share.

One of the women related that she and her best friend had decided to go hiking since it was a beautiful summer day. They are both moms to two very active special-needs boys and this seemed to be a perfect way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and give the kids a chance to burn all that energy.

They envisioned a fun-filled,  perfect day and set out in high spirits.

Everything went downhill very quickly. It was hot, the boys decided they weren’t really in the mood for a hike, and the bugs were out with a vengeance…so much so that it was nearly impossible to savor the charm of the mountains. The friends chided themselves for failing to remember to bring the bug spray.

Still, they persevered and reached the top. At the top of this particular trail, there is a large cross.

And there….sitting right next to the cross…was a can of bug spray.

This sweet lady was quick to assure us that the area was pristine. It wasn’t as if there was garbage lying around. She added that the bug spray was not  generic. It was name-brand, top-of-the-line…and there was just enough left in the can to completely cover the four of them. This freed them to truly enjoy the rest of the afternoon, taking in the wonderful view and relishing their time together.

Before  they headed back down the trail (and since the can was empty), she took it with her as a  visible reminder of God’s perfect care for His own.

This is one of the myriad of reasons that I love Jesus. No detail is too small to elicit His attention. He cares about everything that concerns us. He feels what we feel. The very hairs on our head are numbered. He is a good God who desires to richly give to us all things to enjoy.

So, on a warm summer day, He made sure that two friends and their precious sons could enjoy the beauty of His creation by providing a little bug spray at just the right time.

He is most definitely in the details…and whatever it is you need today, He has it covered!

…Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. —I Peter 5:7 (Amplified)