Under His wings

Recently our pastor Dan did an excellent message. (I completely encourage you to listen to it. Just go to knoxcalvary.com and click on "watch online").
The message was about marriage, in short. He described Jesus' parents having a near divorce (look in Matthew) and ended with Ruth and Boaz. Ruth sought Boaz out as her kinsman-redeemer after her husband's death. This was actually under the advice of her mother-in-law. (Which I have to say, if my mother-in-law starts trying to hook me up with older, related men, things might get weird. So go Ruth for your gumption!)
She approached Boaz on what was called the threshing floor, and asked him to cover her with his "wings" (in the ESV version of the bible). Pastor Dan brought out the prayer shawl used by Jews and showed the wings to be the ends or tassels of the prayer shawl. Essentially Ruth was asking Boaz to protect and provide for her, and draw her to him under this protection.
God has a similar scripture in Psalms 91:4; "Under His wings you may seek refuge." This is actually one of my faves, but I never had a visual picture to go with it. Just figured God had wings, or something.
But now I get it! God is our protector, provider. He draws us to him, under his wings of protection. His Holy Spirit prays for us, like the Jews with the prayer shawl symbolically cover their wives.

This may not impact you like it did me, but just think: He is our covering. We are protected. There is nowhere you go that He has not already been. If you draw near to Him, you are under his care.
Those of you who are married, extend this to your earthly husbands. They are to cover you with prayer, protection, guidance, and love, and to provide for you. In turn, you give them respect and honor.
Pastor Dan had the married couples have communion together and the husband to pray over his wife. How powerful!! Yes, I had a breakdown because who do I have now?? But what a way to strengthen your marriage! Wives, ask your husbands to pray a prayer of protection over you. "A strand of three cords is not easily broken."
Don't be naive and think Satan will not go after your marriage. I think Christian marriages are one of his favorites to break apart. Prayer changes things, most notably your heart. Please know that I am not trying to preach here. This is for me too: Mike and I had a lot of difficulty at times in our marriage. I can see now that humbling ourselves and praying for one another out loud would have helped.

Regarding the "who do I have now?" Last night my sweet friend and mentor Kathy (our pastor's wife) told me that she and Dan will cover me for now like Boaz with prayer and encouragement and whatever needs they can help with. I am blessed to have a church family that will stand and support me during this difficult time. I am blessed by tender leadership that weeps when I weep.

Seek refuge in His wings. It's the best place to be.