THE CALL!

“But now, this says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine.’” Isaiah 43:1. (NKJV).

A hand stroked her right cheek. Her eyes opened. Darkness engulfed her. She froze. Her throat felt stuffed with cotton. Could she be dreaming?

A teenage girl was missing--had everyone in town on edge. Would she be next?

Buddy, her Boston Bull terrier, slept at her feet. Daddy said she was safe but how if--?

The hand continued to stroke her cheek.

"Daddy!"

Feet pounded. The light flashed on. Daddy's eyebrows raised. His face split into a grin, then he whooped with laughter. Mama came in, covered her mouth, snickering.

He walked to her bed, lifted her left arm curved over her head on the pillow. Her arm was numb, gone to sleep, her fingers misbehaving on their own.

“It’s okay. I’m here.” He pulled her into his arms. "Sorry you scared yourself." He chuckled.

"Fear caused you to put together quite a scare. Remember our Bible verse tonight?"

"The fear not part? 

"An important verse. The Scriptures repeat it over and over again. When we fear, we call upon the Lord."

"Like I called you tonight?"

"Exactly." He hugged his daughter. "He calls us by name and claims us as His own."

"Wow."

"Wow, indeed."

Kingdom thinking. Life presents me with choices--to believe the promises of the Scriptures or the shadows that plague me. The Lord Jesus promises never to forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He knows me by name. He knows you, too. Won’t you answer His call?