One winter’s afternoon, between scheduled appointments, the waitress at the corner cafe informed me that this was her last week. I would miss our occasional talks which had focused on growing up in the area and educational backgrounds. We had talked about her experiences during the months she worked at the café.
For she and her sister had purchased a diner in lakes area in Missouri and they were moving there to manage it. As we talked about her new adventure, I inquired further about her background.
She talked about her family and the aunt who lives in the Waterloo area. Being further separated in distance from her aunt seemed to be on her heart. She described her aunt as “the most spiritual person I know.” The basis for that comment is the aunt’s unwillingness to allow the illness she faces to overcome her. The aunt knows that God is with her even in the difficult trial she faces. My words about praying for her aunt was greeted with thankfulness. I referred her to the guiding words of Psalm 121.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.—Psalm 121:1-8