Day 13

I have two favorite quotes. Both are from the Bible. Honestly, I do not remember chapter and verse. Over the years, I have shortened them, and I no longer remember the whole verses.

I did look them both up on the internet. However, both are mention several times in the Bible. I will share the story that made them so important to me.

I was about fifteen when my sister got into a fight with another girl and got her lip cut bad enough she had to have stitches.

We lived in the projects, which meant if someone messed with your family, you retaliated. The girls that escorted my sister home looked to me after relating what had taken place.

The girls were not sure why my sister and the other girl were fighting.

Whatever the reason, it was my responsibility to avenge her. The girls told me the other girl cut my sister with a can opener, so I took our can opener with me.

The whole trip to the park became nerve-wracking for me. I was frightened out of my mind. I had never fought with a weapon before, only my fingernails.  While I walked and prayed, two verses came to mind, but I put them together as one.

The verses that came to me was, “I am with you always, even until the end of time. Vengeance is mine; I will repay.”

When I arrived at the park where the girl was to be waiting for me, she was nowhere in sight. I had collected a following as word spread; there was to be a fight. I can only imagine the crowd was disappointed. As for me, inside, I was thrilled. We waited, but she never showed.

I received a reputation without lifting a finger, and the other girl went out of her way to avoid me.

The quotes are always with me, and I believe because I prayed, the Lord sent those verses to me as one to give courage and peace of mind. I can not tell you the name of the chapter and verse for either quote. I searched, but found both verses, using variations in the wording, are in several books in the Bible.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. And Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.

These two verses have always been in a source of comfort for me in times of trouble. I hear them in my head, and they give me peace because I believe the Lord is with me. Now you know my favorite quotes and why. Tomorrow, I will share what is in my handbag. That should be quite interesting. Until tomorrow, stay safe, and keep the faith.