Proceed Carefully

Proceed Carefully

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

Being open to the new and different can be good. But while different doesn’t mean “wrong,” it also doesn’t always mean better. I’m thinking of Peggy, who calls herself a free spirit just because she refuses to arrive on time for meetings, is annoyed by traffic laws, complains about conventional rules of etiquette, and ignores commonsense guidelines. Occasionally I might be tempted to identify with her if it hadn’t been for a tough lesson in common sense I had to learn during my first visit to the Middle East.

A confident world traveler, I foolishly had decided to do a bit of exploring away from our group. Drawn by the intrigues of Old Jerusalem, I walked two miles beyond the usual tourist area and discovered I was almost out of water in an area where no one spoke English. I tried every foreign word I could remember for “water,” beginning with the Spanish word agua. Of course, Spanish was just as useless as English in the heart of the Israeli town. Finally, I leaned against a low stone fence to ponder my situation. There, in my obvious American-tourist garb, I felt a pebble hit my back. Then another. And another. Knowing any displayed fear might incite the thrower to become even more aggressive, I slowly gathered the canvas bag holding the now empty water bottle.

Lord, I prayed inwardly, I wasn’t very smart to come into this non-English-speaking area by myself. But here I foolishly am, and I’m trusting you to lead me to safety.

As I meandered back up the lane with what I hoped was a confident stride, I quoted Psalm 91:11 to myself: “He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”

Lord, I know I was foolhardy to come here, I silently prayed again, but I ask that your angels guard me right now. And if angels can choose any form they want, I’d like to request one who’s about six feet eight, with longish brown hair held back by a don’t-mess-with-me bandanna and can readily be seen by anyone whose heart is evil.

Then, picturing my new, unseen companion by my side, I confidently walked the two miles back to the group, arriving not only thirsty but also wiser.

—SANDRA

Lord, often I am prone to jump into physical or emotional unknowns without listening to your warnings. Help me to remember to ask for your guidance and use the common sense you gave me. May I be aware of your presence moment by moment. And may I rejoice in it.

God cares for us. It is His business as a father to do so. All He asks of us is to let Him know when we need something and then leave the supplying of that need to Him. —HANNAH WHITALL SMITH (1832–1911), QUAKER LAY SPEAKER AND AUTHOR