'Assurance as We Travel'

Included among the many things that we do during this busy season is travel. My travel plans for this Christmas are pretty simple: I plan to travel from my bedroom to the living room to my recliner, from my recliner to the table, and from the table back to the recliner. I do not expect traffic congestion or mishaps to hinder me too much. I am looking forward to staying close to home to enjoy time with our granddaughters. After Christmas we will venture further out and visit with family in north Georgia.

We have fought the traffic plenty of times over the years as we loaded up our two children to spend Christmas away from home. Of all the traveling that we have done, I remember only being stranded in ice one time--of all places, that was in Florida! We were living in Lakeland, Florida, at the time and went to north Georgia to spend a few days before Christmas. During our stay, a little coating of ice was deposited by a weather system that passed over the Georgia-Florida line. We left early in the day to make sure that we got back to Lakeland for Christmas day, but by the time we got to Valdosta that evening the ice had started to refreeze on the interstate. This created nearly impassable conditions. We were thankful to finda motel room in a little north Florida town where we stayed until things thawed out the next day and we were able to make it safely home to Lakeland.

There is no end to the interesting things associated with traveling with two little girls. One of the things that comes clearly to my mind about our travels was that as I drove the car, from time to time I would feel a little hand reach from behind my seat and take hold of the back of my arm. I suppose Jessica (our youngest daughter who is now 25) just needed the reassurance that Daddy was still there and still in control of everything. The nearness of one that we can trust brings much comfort.

Jessica's reaching for reassurance reminds me that as we move along the journey of life we have the assurance that God is always near and always watching over us. During this season of the year, we are reminded of His coming to earth in human form to identify with us and to be near us in a most precious and close way. In Matthew's record of the birth of Jesus Christ, we findthat, "All of this took place to fulfillwhat the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel'--which means, 'God with us'" (Matthew 1:22-23, NIV).

Whether you travel for Christmas or just stay close to home, remember that God is everywhere present. Christ came to us as our Emmanuel--God with us--to give us opportunity to know everlasting life. In all of life's circumstances, we can rest assured that He never ceases to be in control. Reach out and touch Him by faith today and allow the peace of His presence to fillyour life.