Scripture is Beautiful: Psalm 91:4

My Mom is a calligrapher. She creates beautiful works of art with words and some very fancy pens. When my son, Asher, was born, she presented us with a small note book of prayers she had written for our baby and Scripture she had beautified. Each time I thumb through the note book I am touched by the sincerity of the prayers, but also the beauty of the Scripture brought to life. I wanted to share some of these with you all. I know she will be somewhat embarrassed by this because these are not necessarily her great works of art, but perhaps its better that way. We need to be reminded that Scripture is not a sterile, printed, passionless word to us. It is God's art, poetry, and beauty brought to us in a way which we can understand.

He will cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you will find refuge.

Psalm 91:4

When I was in high school, my sister got a bird, a cockatiel. I hated the little thing. It insisted on climbing up my arm to sit on my shoulders or head, and would routinely poop on me. It also learned to ring like a telephone so loudly that it would wake me up on Saturday mornings even though we were separated by two doors. He was kind of cute and sort of funny. But mostly I just didn't get along great with him. One of the things I remember very distinctly though, is how soft his feathers were. When he would sit on my shoulder, he would often stretch his clipped wings and his feathers would brush against my neck and ear.

This Scripture reminds us that being in God's presence is not necessarily a harrowing experience with brimstone and fire and the books being opened to announce our faults and sins in detail. Its like a child snuggling up with their mom under the softest blanket and being held tight and cuddled. In that place, there is nothing that can harm you. A mother bird covers her chicks to protect them from the elements. And that is what God does for us. He is our heavenly father, but truly, God also functions as our mother - our life giver, our sustainer, the one who holds us close when we feel like we are falling apart. His touch is soft and gentle, His words are kind and reassuring, and beneath his wings, we are eternally safe and cherished.