“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalm 37:23

Details

Living in Africa certainly provides me with some interesting moments—particularly in regard to wildlife. We recently had a snake making its way down our driveway. I definitely don’t like those creatures! And around the same time there was a large scorpion in the passage near our back door. It was a boiling hot day so I think it was looking for a cool place.

The last couple of weeks our neighborhood has been on “baboon alert.” I get messages that they’re on the street below us, or one street over…letting me know to be prepared. We have to close doors and windows to keep them from getting in the house if they turn up in our garden. They make terrible messes!

A few days ago I was awakened early one morning by the loud sound of a peacock call. A large peacock was wandering around our small back garden and driveway. I don’t know where it came from or why it liked our garden, but it was a rather rude awakening. Maybe it was looking for something, or maybe it was out for a morning stroll…but it eventually flew very gracefully over the fence and continued on.

We have a constant parade of birds flying around every day—and an occasional mongoose explores our yard. It visited yesterday. Sometimes I feel like I live in a zoo. And I never get tired of seeing the awesome whales in our bay! They were there yesterday too.

When I look at all these creatures, and think of how each one has a plan and purpose in nature, it gives me a fresh appreciation for the world that God created. He created “every living thing.” He designed our world in intricate detail in such a way that each creature has a role to play—even the ones I don’t like!

And it reminds me that God is at work in each detail of my life. He has a plan and purpose for everything that’s happening. He is “working for good” in the daily events of my life—using them to help me in ways I don’t always understand. He hears my hurt and pain when I call out to Him. He is there to wipe away my tears. He is the One who whispers sweet words of encouragement into my heart. And He is the One who carries the burdens that are too heavy for me to bear. He is with me in each and every detail.

I am a “detailed” person. It’s a blessing—and sometimes a curse. I can’t escape it. It’s just the way my mind works. But my sense of detail pales in comparison to God’s. His attention to every detail, every concern, every thing we think/feel/experience is beyond comparison. He’s not only up there in heaven, but He’s down here with us on earth, involved in everything we are going through. There’s nothing too big or too small for His care in our lives. He’s involved in those details because He loves us, He cares about us, and He longs to help us.

“Lord, we are grateful that You are a God of details, and that we can ask for wisdom about all the things that concern us. Thank You!”