“O God, listen to my
cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help,
for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you
are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever
in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” Psalm 61:1-4 (NLT)
When our son
Jonathan was born, Bobbie and I lived in a duplex in Gadsden, AL, on a quiet
street in an old, but well-to-do, neighborhood. Both sides of the duplex were
large with a “dog run” separating them. Bobbie loved that house. Even now, some
thirty-eight years later, if we drive down that street, she gets all romantic
and dreamy-eyed when we pass “her house.”
Jonathan was born, Bobbie and I lived in a duplex in Gadsden, AL, on a quiet
street in an old, but well-to-do, neighborhood. Both sides of the duplex were
large with a “dog run” separating them. Bobbie loved that house. Even now, some
thirty-eight years later, if we drive down that street, she gets all romantic
and dreamy-eyed when we pass “her house.”
She had mixed
feelings when I asked her to move from there, but I had accepted a pastoral
appointment in another city. It wasn’t that Bobbie rejected my decision to
pastor or to accept that particular appointment, she just loved “her”
house. If you ask her why, she can’t tell you. There was just something about
the house, the neighborhood, the time of life . . . something that made Bobbie
feel content and secure in life. Moving on made her uncomfortable.
feelings when I asked her to move from there, but I had accepted a pastoral
appointment in another city. It wasn’t that Bobbie rejected my decision to
pastor or to accept that particular appointment, she just loved “her”
house. If you ask her why, she can’t tell you. There was just something about
the house, the neighborhood, the time of life . . . something that made Bobbie
feel content and secure in life. Moving on made her uncomfortable.
Some years later,
and several moves since then, she said to me one day in Calgary, Alberta,
Canada, “I have decided that it isn’t the place we live that makes me happy or
makes me feel at home.” What is it then? “I must decide to be happy, no matter
where I live. And home is wherever you and my children are.”
and several moves since then, she said to me one day in Calgary, Alberta,
Canada, “I have decided that it isn’t the place we live that makes me happy or
makes me feel at home.” What is it then? “I must decide to be happy, no matter
where I live. And home is wherever you and my children are.”
I know that Bobbie
was right. She will also tell you that God is always with us no matter what
city or house we live in. And happiness is knowing that he is there and will be
our shelter.
was right. She will also tell you that God is always with us no matter what
city or house we live in. And happiness is knowing that he is there and will be
our shelter.
Dear Father, thank
you for the sanctuary of grace and mercy. Grant to us the sanctuary of your
constant presence in all our circumstances. This I pray in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
you for the sanctuary of grace and mercy. Grant to us the sanctuary of your
constant presence in all our circumstances. This I pray in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today in God’s safe refuge,
courageous today in God’s safe refuge,