The Umbrella, The Sword and the Magic Glass

Today the weather was absolutely beautiful. It got up to 74 degrees, so the kids played outside all afternoon. It was a great day for so many reasons. I have lots to share about some of the things that have happened this week, but I want to wait until I have more information and details to share a few of them. Just know that you must keep checking back for some exciting news I hope to tell soon. Also, God is speaking to me in themes this week. I haven't quite connected all the dots yet though, so I don' t have a complete picture of what God is trying to teach me... but I know it is coming. The event below just illustrates one of the things God has shown me this week.

Today, as I watched Mary Lyndsey playing outside, I noticed she had three things in her hands... treasures she had found in the garage also known as the "cave of wonders." The first was an umbrella. The second was a sword constructed of silver sprayed wooden paint sticks... an art project from a Vacation Bible School several years ago. In black letters along the side were the words "Sword of the Spirit". The third was a plastic toy she had gotten in a kid's meal. The toy was a sort of "magic glass." It came with some paper with secret messages and pictures on it you could only see by looking through the "magic glass."

Now at first glance you might consider this a hodge podge of toys. You may not think these three things had anything in common. Neither did I at first, but as I watched her run and play in the front yard, I felt the Spirit speak to my heart. 

"Look at her," He seemed to say. "You see those things she's carrying... You need those things too."

" What?" I shook my head. I didn't quite understand. 

"Those things she's carrying... you could use those things too."

 

As I looked at her selection of toys again, the message seemed to sink into my heart. 

You see I had only read a few post today. It was a really busy day so I only went some of my closest friend's blogs. I read Janet at Living Oak and she talked about the umbrella of God's protection. Then I read Kimberly at A Planting of the Lord and she talked about the importance of knowing God's Word to be able to fight our battle's against our enemy. And, I had been reminded of one some of my previous post on the Battle and the Battle continuing. 

As I considered these messages fresh in my mind, I began to understand what the Spirit was saying. 

I should never venture out without my umbrella... the umbrella of God's protection.

 

Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those you love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD,  you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (NIV)

I should pray my eyes are opened to see the battle that is going on around me, the battle that may be hidden to to others. I need my "magic glass" to see the army the Lord has on my side.

2 Kings 6:15-17 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army of horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (NIV)

And I should always be armed with God's Word, the Sword of the Spirit, my only defensive weapon against my enemy.

Ephesians 6:13-17 Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," (NIV)

"So," I thought, "the Umbrella, the Sword and the Magic Glass... don't leave home without them."