THE ENEMY OF YOUR SOUL NEVER SLEEPS!

 It was just a few days ago that I was reminded of just how true this statement really is. You see, it was a day much like any other day when I called my son Anthony up and asked him to please stop by the store. I had a few errands for him to run. As many of you know, he is the one who will run around and get things done for me. For example, he will get the ice and pop for our crops on Fridays and run to get change and all the other little things it takes to help keep Scrapbook Eden running smoothly. Well the water jugs were empty so I needed him to go and get them filled up. He came and dutifully picked up the jugs and went off to get them filled. He went to the Publix by the Citrus Tower and I would say it was around 2pm in the afternoon. He was carrying one of the jugs of water out to his car when two men in a truck approached him. They asked him if he would be interested in a stereo system for his car. They tried to convince him to hop in and go "around" the corner where they could show him the equipment. He said no thanks that he wasn't interested. They changed their story and said, "Well we have a home system that we will give to you for free". Anthony said they kind of stumbled over their story but again tried to get him to get in their vehicle. Again my son declined and they finally gave up and drove off. Now I don't know how that makes any of you feel, but I was mortified, relieved, upset and thanking God almighty all at the same time!

I am not one to boast as no one is perfect. My son is a pretty good kid with a decent head on his shoulders. He is an "Almost All A's student, Class President and is athletic. He is not small or defenseless looking by any means. He isn't a show off that wears a ton of jewelry or wears his pants down to his knees. He isn't what I would ever have considered a target for this type of thing. But again, evil never sleeps! I am profoundly grateful that the Lord watched over him. I am also grateful the Lord gave him the wisdom and the knowledge to know that something was wrong and to decline. I am grateful that he wasn't seduced or enticed by the idea of something free like a car stereo, to abandon his common sense and put himself in some very real danger. One can only speculate what these two were up to and what could have happened to my son, but every scenario that ran through my mind was to say the least, not good! I don't even want to think how differently things could have gone.

The one thing all of us asked him was; did you get the tag number of the vehicle? And he said no. He could describe the individuals and even the vehicle, but he didn't think to take the license number down. So he now knows one of the most important things in a situation like that is to also get the license number. So please if you have taken the time to read all of this, please tell your children, all of them; including High School BOYS and not just girls or kids, to please be aware of who and what is around them at ALL times. This happened in the middle of the day at the supermarket parking lot. Not at the movie theatre parking lot at night, not at a dance or some social function at night either. But smack in the middle of the day in what you would consider to be a safe area. Praise God for His unending grace and mercy and for His divine protection! I know that every day that the Lord almighty keeps Scrapbook Eden open, it will be our job to continue to share our lives with you as well as the good news of Jesus Christ. He is not dead. He is not some far off abstract God who doesn't care and isn't concerned. He is a very real and ever present help in time of trouble. I thank Him for who He is and for all He has done and continues to do.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
 

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11&12

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Ephesians 6: 10&11

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10