Backyard Porch Smoke

God Is in Control

One night I came home from a long day at the call center. On this particular evening, I was a little on edge—even my four-legged furry children noticed it. Since my wife was still at work, I took advantage of the quiet to enjoy one of my favorite cigars out on our backyard porch.

It had rained all day, but just as my shift ended the skies began to clear. The night sky twinkled with stars, and the moon was full and bright. It was a picture-perfect close to an otherwise stressful day.

As I sat on the patio chair, lazily watching the Greyhound and the Yorkie-Shu running around the backyard, the smoke from the cigar twisted and turned its silvery tail into the star-filled night sky. A soothing and reassuring verse came to mind from the prophet Amos:

“The Lord made the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into daylight and day into night. He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the earth.” – Amos 5:8 (GNT)

How insignificant we are as we stand before creation, and how magnificent it is. Even with all the rain, it is a gift to see how God is in control of creation. In due time that night, the rain stopped, the skies cleared, and the stars and moon blazed in the cloudless sky. Creation works like clockwork.

“Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” – Matthew 6:26 (GNT)

When the cares of this world close in on you, and doubts creep into your heart, mind, and soul with the “what if’s” of life—don’t fret. God is in control, even when:

“…creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth…” – Romans 8:22 (GNT)

Because of sin, creation suffers. Yet God will provide all of your needs. If you need proof, look around you in creation and see His glory and provision.

God Is in Control

  • We believe that His children will not be forsaken.
  • We will choose to remember and never be shaken.
  • There is no power above or beside Him, we know.
  • Oh, God is in control. Oh, God is in control. – Twila Paris

Are the silvery wisps of cigar smoke clouding your heart, mind, and soul? Remember: God is in control. If He provides for His creation, how much more will He provide for His ultimate creation—you?

Location: Hollywood, FL 33025, USA

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