SAFE Place

5/26/11

“Hunkered down,” hubby said as he retrieved a call on his cell from the closet. Yes, once again we took our weatherman seriously and headed to our safe place. I think the news stories and pictures from the recent Joplin, MO tornado made believers out of us.

Before entering our “cramped” space we gathered a few supplies. I ‘m wondering what that says about us. Larry gathered pillows and a quilt to add a little comfort--- along with his Gideon New Testament, which he’s reads nightly. He also had a belt to secure the door---because of a story we once heard of someone riding out a storm in safety with that precaution. He had a bottled water for each of us and asked if I’d taken my meds. Then, he reminded me to take my billfold. These days he knows the importance of my ID and my insurance card. He wanted to bring in a fan for circulation but that proved impossible. He was taking care of protection and comfort with a Bible added for assurance.

I, on the other hand, put on tennis shoes----maybe thinking that if the funnel sucked me out I would feel better in sturdy shoes in case I landed on my feet. How irrational is that! A V-7 force twister that can topple cars could certainly strip shoes from my feet. I also took my two devotional books that are my journals, a book light and my current book, 1,000 Gifts. Emotional/sentimental stuff.

We both sought refuge from the “storm.” Hubby for physical/spiritual needs. Self for emotional /sentimental needs. What a picture of the One in our lives who is such a refuge during the “storms” of life. Regardless of the nature of our needs, He is our haven, our safe place.

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. (Psalm 46 :1-3)