There’s great comfort in knowing someone or many someones are watching over you. Maybe your watchful someone is a combination of your spouse, your kids, your parents, your siblings, your friends, your neighbors, your local police, the military, your doctor, your investment advisor, your pets. And honestly, at the top of the list, God and His angels.

We all have someone watching over us, even if we don’t realize it. Trust me, we need it. Right? Just think about it. Every day you and I encounter an endless disarray of circumstances and people that can disrupt our plans and even bring us harm.

We Don’t Venture Alone

But you know what? We don’t venture on this planet alone. Thank God. Truly. I am grateful that I grew up in small-town rural America with a family, neighbors and friends who watched over me even when I had no idea they were keeping an eye on me.

Mom kept an attentive eye out the kitchen window when my brothers and I were roughhousing in the front yard. When I rode along with Dad in his gas truck to deliver fuel to local farmers, Dad made sure I didn’t wander too far from his sight. He let me pet the pigs through the wooden fence, but he made sure I didn’t crawl in the mud with them.

My brothers kept watch when we went flying down the schoolhouse hill with friends on our wintertime sleds. We’d stack up two or three high on each sled and my bros made sure I was holding on tight. Without realizing it fully then, I always had someone to help keep me safe.

We All Have Someone(s)

So who watches over you today? Who do you know for certain is always on your side and has your back (and all of you)? If you’re single like me, it can a bit more challenging to think through who is keeping watch over you. We all do have a someone or many someones who love us and have our interests in mind—even if at times it may feel as if we are all alone. In our darkest angst, it may feel like we are battling solo. But. We. Are. Not.

Just this morning, I was reminded of the feeling-alone story of David in the Bible. God was replacing King Saul of ancient Israel with shepherd/musician David. Saul was outraged and ordered his warriors to murder David. On at least two occasions David escaped to hide in caves. Backed into a dank corner, discouraged David lamented, “Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life” (Psalm 142:4, NIV).

A Fresh Reminder

That boy was despondent. No one is watching out for me! No one cares what happens to me. No one will show up and help me. Does this ever sound like us? Gulp. I have voiced similar thoughts in my head, mainly when I’m exhausted, in pain, or overwhelmed with life. We’re human and it’s okay. It’s okay because we don’t have to remain in our self-pity pit.

David cried out with his honest emotions, but then, he circled back to the truth. “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way … I cry to you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living’” (Psalm 142:3,5, NIV).

David handed over his discouragement and dire troubles to the ultimate Someone who was keeping watch. You need a fresh reminder that you have someones, including THE Someone, who is watching over you? I know I do. Even on those days when I feel like the rambunctious little girl poking her hand through the pig pen or flying down a snowy hill holding on for dear life.