There is a story about a young girl taking her first overnight train ride with her parents. That night she was a little anxious. Her mother placed her on the upper bunk of the sleeper car and, while tucking her in, told her that up there she would be nearer to God — and that God would watch over her.

As the quiet of night settled in, the girl became afraid and called softly, "Mommy, are you there?"

"Yes dear," came the reply.

A little later, in a louder voice: "Daddy, are you there too?"

"Yes dear."

After this had been repeated several times, a passenger sharing their sleeper car finally lost his patience and shouted, "Yes, we're all here — your father, your mother, your brother, and all your aunts and cousins. Now settle down and go to sleep!"

There was a moment of silence. Then, in hushed tones, a small voice asked, "Mommy — was that God?"

Most of us have had moments when we needed exactly that reassurance. The diagnosis that arrives without warning. The future that refuses to come into focus. The fear that settles in at 3 in the morning and won't be reasoned away. In those moments, we need to know: is anyone there?

Psalm 46 has been answering that question for centuries:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea... God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved. God will help it when the morning dawns... The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

A very present help. Not a distant observer. Not a force that set things in motion and stepped away. Present — here, now, in the middle of the night, in the middle of whatever you are facing.

The morning will dawn. And God will be there when it does.

Prayer: O loving God, to turn away from you is to fall, to turn toward you is to rise, and to stand before you is to abide forever. Grant us, dear God, in all our duties your help; in all our uncertainties your guidance; in all our dangers your protection; and in all our sorrows your peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— Saint Augustine, early 5th century

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