He Slumbers Not

“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” ESV Psalm 121:3

I’m lucky to have known all my grandparents and have many fond memories of all four of them. Each of them was unique and my memories of each are fond for different reasons. While I spent at least some time with all of them, the boy in me caused me to spend more time down on the farm with my grandmother Askew. Boys can find adventure lurking behind every tree on the farm. I sure did and I loved to visit there, especially in the summer when I could stay for a week at a time.

Mai Maw would always be up long before daybreak clanging pans in the kitchen getting breakfast ready for my grandfather and me. Breakfast was always the same: fried eggs, bacon, biscuits baked in a skillet and Karo syrup with butter. Ahh…the pleasures of childhood. My doctor tells me none of those items are on the list of things I want to eat today.

She was quiet a worker too. It’s probably just my imagination, but I swear I think she washed clothes every day. Some of you will smile (and tell your age) when you recall the washer she used. It sat on the back porch, got its hot water from a pot heated on the stove, and had a built-in ringer mounted on top. For the unenlightened, the ringer consisted of two wooden cylinders mounted close together through which you fed your clothes (and not fingers) in order to remove water from them; an early spin cycle of sorts.

Mai Maw never failed to have plenty of pecan twirls, moon pies and RC Colas on hand for my snacking pleasure. And I can never remember her turning down a request for what she called a “sizzle burger” if my hunger pangs were real. All the while, her chores continued throughout the day and supper was always a sit down deal.

As soon as the kitchen was clean and ready for another day, we all retired to the living room to watch one of the three channels that came in clear on the TV. Pai Paw had his favorite chair, I’d take the sofa and Mai Maw would claim the rocking chair. I still remember the sound it made.

Somebody told me once that a tired body rests better. Keeping up a normal routine and serving me all day must have been pretty tiring because as soon as she got still in that rocking chair she was out like a light. I used to chuckle at her; now I do the same thing. For you, me and Mai Maw, rest is a welcome reward to a hard days work.

Our heavenly Father is quiet a worker too; speaking all of Creation into existence, and upholding the universe with by the power of his word and all. Yet he never tires and knows even when a sparrow falls or a hair moves on your head.

The Psalmist reminds us that we have a heavenly Father who keeps us yet never grows weary. When our struggles seem insurmountable, he is aware. When we are burdened, he is there for us. Nothing escapes his sight. Nothing is outside his power. God is never asleep at the wheel. Seek your rest from he who slumbers not.