You're By My Side-Updated

9/17/2016: I like to go back and read what I was writing this time last year and before, and see just where I was in my journey. This time last year I was contemplating and preparing to retire in a couple of months, and there was a lot going on in my mind and life. I remember this day so vividly. God sent His special messenger to cheer me onward and lift my spirits just when I needed it most. Perhaps that is where you are today. Maybe this message is meant for you. Read on and be blessed, my friend!

Original Post 9/8/15:
This afternoon on my way home from work I was blessed by the sight of a beautiful Bald Eagle alongside the road, eating his dinner. As I slowed down the car to get a better look, he began to fly right beside my car, low to the ground, slowly gaining altitude and eventually crossing in front of me and flying up into a tree on the other side of the road. Sadly, I did not have my camera with me (and my cell phone is ancient), so this picture is from last Thanksgiving when we were visited by this beautiful eagle...(Click HERE for that amazing story)

Anyway, as today's glorious eagle flew alongside my car for a short distance, this song came on the radio by Rend Collective : You Will Never Run Away - Rend Collective   (click the link for the song and sing along while you read the lyrics below)

Rend Collective 

From the album As Family We Go

You will never run away

You're forever mine

You will never run away

You're by my side

Love wide as galaxies

Love deeper than the sea

Countless as all infinity

Love like a shooting star

Tearing apart the dark

Shining for all eternity

Shining for all eternity

You will never run away

You're forever mine

You will never run away

You're by my side

You will never run away

You forever shine

You will never run away

You're by my side

Love stronger than the grave

Love rolled the stone away

Rising with endless majesty

Love takes us by the hand

Love is the wildest dance

You are the joy and fight in me

You are the joy and fight in me

You will never run away

You're forever mine

You will never run away

You're by my side

You will never run away

You forever shine

You will never run away

You're by my side

Hearts open wide

Hands lifted high

Over the clouds up into the blue sky

Hearts open wide

Hands lifted high

Over the clouds up into the blue sky

You will never run away

You're forever mine

You will never run away

You're by my side

You will never run away

You forever shine

You will never run away

You're by my side!!!

Publishing: © 2015 Thankyou Music (PRS/SESAC) (admin. worldwide at 

CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding Europe, which is admin. by IntegrityMusic.com)

Writer(s): Rend Collective

I wonder if you can grasp why this seemed so significant to me...I mean, have you ever been feeling a little down and unsure of God's plan and direction for your life...and you just needed a little burst of encouragement to help you recognize that God was there for you...that He hadn't forgotten you...and that He was actually right there beside you...always by your side????  Well...that's where I was today...and then God literally came alongside me and reassured me of His constant care and love...always by my side!!!  

I want you to know that after this obvious message from the Lord this afternoon I smiled and sang all the rest of the way home.  I could NOT stop smiling!  Actually a few tears rolled down my cheeks at the same time as the smile refused to give way to sorrow again.  They were tears of joy...God certainly got my attention this time!

You will never run away

You forever shine

You will never run away

You're by my side!!!

I hope you will be encouraged by this message today as well.  

"Be strong and of good courage, 

Do not fear nor be afraid of them;

for the Lord your God,

He IS the ONE who goes with you. 

He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6