Like A Tarp

Daily Gratitude Year 4- Day 240: Today, I am grateful for tarps. 

Life does not always happen when the weather is perfect. College move in days are not directed by the weather. The humble tarp becomes precious as it provides shelter and keeps things covered and relatively dry. 

Shelter, protection and the possibility of everything being "just fine" at the end of the day, is often the result of a humble, simple tarp...and bungee cords!

I am sure you are wondering if there is any way to make a devotional out of a tarp...but the Word whispered in my ear this morning seems to fit. He is our tarp. It is God's covering on our lives that gives us shelter and hope. He provides the shelter that keeps us from giving up on the midst of the storms that come our way. Big and small. 

Popular survival shows have taught us the value of shelter. Think what they could do with a tarp! The peace and protection of a safe, weatherproof covering would be a priceless gift. 
Every life has it's "Survivor" moments. We are promised peace and protection.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. -Isaiah 26:3

God calmed Moses with these words in Exodus 33:22:"and I will cover you with my hand until..."

Interesting note on Exodus 33- God was protecting Moses from something good - the overwelming presence of God. He was not allowed to see his face - only his back. Do we ever wonder about the goodness and glory that passes us by for our protection? That is food for thought and another day. 

In trouble he is sure. 

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. -Psalm 27:5

In response to our inability to "get it right" on our own, He came to be with us...in man form. God... with... us. Humble and rooted in the oh so daily life of a carpenter's son. He came to cover our sins with his blood and our lives with his love and purpose. Imperfect but treasured. He found us worth the sacrifice. 

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.-Romans 5:11-13

He is our savior and covering. As God offers us the shelter of his wings...Jesus covered us with this blood...and the Holy Spirit wraps us in the comfort of holy hands. Yes...our God is like a tarp. 

Today, I am grateful for tarps.