John Stanko

I have not been able to post anything the last few days from Harare. It is the rainy season and we've had some bad storms, knocking out power. Then there have been problems with the email services and I came down with a cold last week, draining my energy. (It's no fun being sick on the road.)

I have been meditating on one verse the last few weeks: "My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love" (Psalm 31:15-16). A few weeks ago, I was the in the backseat of a car heading to Louisiana. The driver looked down for his cell phone and just that quickly the car moved onto the shoulder of the road while we were traveling at 75 miles per hour. For just a split second, he struggled to regain control, which he did, and we proceeded to our destination.

Then just yesterday, I was driving to the airport to catch my flight for Johannesburg. Suddenly a young man ran out of nowhere and tried to break into my car. I was able to escape, but not before he broke out the back window. I was safe, my "stuff" was intact, and the window can easily be replaced.

I am aware of these two instances where the Lord protected and "saved" me and I am thankful. But how many other things has He "saved" me from that I am not even aware of? I would think there have been plenty. So I have been thanking God not only for His protection that I know of but also for His protection, the occasions of which are known only to Him.

These events haven't put fear in my heart, but they have certainly given me perspective. My mother is 89 years of age, and I hope I live to be that old! But tomorrow may be my last day. I want to continue to make the most of the opportunities I have to be effective and productive, but all the while I want to have a proper perspective: "My times are in His hands." What a good place for them to be!

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