that one time I got lost in a foreign country...

 

I read this psalm for the first time when I was studying abroad in college.  The summer before my junior year, I went to Argentina with a group of college students who were learning Spanish.  I was paired up with an amazing family, and lived with them for almost two months.  We tried to assimilate to the culture as much as possible, but I think my blonde hair and terrible accent made me stick out a little bit.  Anyhow, one night I was returning "home" with a group of students on the bus (main public transportation).  All of my college friends got off along the way to go back to their "family's" homes.  I was the last one, and I was pretty sure I knew which stop to get off at.  But, it was dark.  And, I am terrible at directions.  So, yeah, I basically got off at the wrong stop.  The bus left.  There was no one around on the street.  And, I was totally LOST.  One of the worst feelings ever. 

It felt like I was in a bad dream.  All I remember was my family finding me on the street.  (Turned out, I was only a couple of blocks from their house...haha)  I guess they had gone out looking for me because it was getting late.  I'm still not really sure how they figured out exactly where I was, because I didn't have a cell phone.  When they found me, they were so sweet.  Not annoyed by their clueless exchange student, or making fun of me.  They just embraced me, as tears of relief were rolling down my cheeks.

When I read Psalm 91 again this week, this story instantly came to mind.  And, I had a moment where I really got it.  The way that the Lord watches over us is 1000x greater than the way my familia watched over/embraced me in Argentina.  It just gave me a warm fuzzy/peaceful feeling all over.  The Lord commands his angels concerning ME.  Not because I deserve it, but simply because he loves me!

The next time you feel anxious, alone, or scared...just remember this, and pray it out loud!