Sunday Morning Serenity

[Image by Chance Agrella @ Freerangestock.com]

Nothing’s more welcome than shelter when we need it.

Think of every time you ever ran inside just as it started to rain or warmed your hands in front of a warm fire on a cold, windy day. It’s a relief and a comfort like no other.

One of the few times Dave and I rented a beach house for a whole week, we kept an eye out for storm clouds because we loved watching big weather roll in from the Gulf while we sat safe and dry on a deep porch high above the wet ground below.

Years before we married, I called him from a work conference in Sundance, Utah, because I wanted to tell him about one of the most amazing places I ever stayed—a mountain chalet with a deck right over a swift-flowing river. I was there in the springtime, and I tried to imagine what it must be like to tuck into a gorgeous cabin like that and sit in front of a roaring fire, looking out at the mountains covered with snow.

We run to physical shelter without even thinking, but sometimes we can’t even admit that we need spiritual shelter—when we face a problem that won’t go away, or the challenges of the world get way too big for us. It’s hard to admit we need a porch to run to or a fire to sit by. A "shelter in the time of our storm."

Dave and I spent the past couple of months trying to untangle a knot in our future retirement plans, and it did NOT want to be untangled. We were frustrated and stressed. Getting soaked. Feeling the chill. Finally, we both agreed that we were in a situation bigger than the two of us, and we’d just have to turn it over to God. Which we did. We ran onto the porch.

Now the knot is untangled—maybe not the way we originally saw it happening but in a way that taught us a lot and worked out for the best in the end.

When nothing we do is enough, maybe that means it’s time to ask for help—time to come in from the weather and accept the grace of a warm fire.

The shelter of God’s grace and peace to you this Sunday morning.

 

 

 

Comments

[Sarah Earnest]

Powerful baby girl I really needed that thanks for sharing love you so much

[Betty Betts]

Love the post and love the words. So true. We have to give it to the Lord!

[Marilyn Boycott]

Thank you. Our pastor said this morning that we trust God with our salvation for eternity but at the same time we don't trst him for every day living.

[valerieluesse]

My sweet Aunt Boots, we need a visit. I miss seeing you! Love you very much.

[valerieluesse]

Thank you so much, Marilyn and Betty!