Finding Your Place

“Let me hide under the shadow of your wings until the trouble has passed.”  Psalm 57:1

As I walked the journey of grief, I felt lost and alone with no place to hide from the sadness and grief.  Grief permeates every part of life.  We can compartmentalize our grief at times by keeping busy in our work, daily tasks or volunteering.  When we have completed the task for the day the grief comes out of the box we have placed it, and we feel the intensity of the loneliness and sadness.  We want to hide from the emotions and pain of the loneliness.  It is in these moments that I found a safe place to hide – in the shadow of God’s wings. 

God wraps His wings or arms around us just as a mother bird wraps around her babies to protect them in
the nest and keep them warm and safe from harm.  In our times of pain and grief, God wants to be our safe place and wrap His Holy Spirit around us until the intensity softens and we can again find hope and peace during our grief and sorrow.

As I journeyed, the intensity of my grief softened but the loneliness and needing a safe place continued. As I moved from place to place, I was searching for my place.  Jesus, in talking with the disciples as he prepared to go to the cross and leave them, said “I am going to prepare a place for you.”  (John 14:2)  I always believed Jesus was talking only about Heaven.  While Jesus is describing a place in Heaven for those who believe in him will have with him, he is also talking about preparing a place where we will abide with him in our daily
lives.  We open our hearts to have Jesus as our companion and friend on our journey.  We are never alone.  Jesus prepares us to be with him.  We have a permanent place with Jesus.

I just moved for the fifth time in five years and again had to complete the mail forwarding information with the Post Office.  One question asks if the new address is “Temporary” or “Permanent.”  I just laugh when I check “Permanent” knowing nothing is permanent here on earth.  I am just passing through this world on my way to heaven.  I have a longing for a place that I have never been.

I recognize I am different because of the experiences of my life.  The first 18 years of my life, I lived in one location – the farm my dad was raised on since he was 3 years old.  Then I went to college and lived in 4 different dorms, a different job and place each summer and winter break, and then I dog sat, house sat and was a live-in nanny.  Then I became a minister and lived in parish houses and apartments.  I got married and Dave and I lived in 3 different homes.  Then I moved to my hometown, back to a rental home.  I have lived in over 20 locations since high school.  Each were “permanent” at the time.  I lived in the present and gave myself fully to the task, the work, the learning experience, and the relationship.

Each of these moves, though, were temporary.  They were where God called me to be and to experience. 
God prepared the place for me to learn, grow and share His love and grace with those He put on my path

God is preparing the next place for me.  God puts on my path those who He wants me to share the journey with and who He wants me to serve and share His love.   Sometimes we walk the journey alone and find our place and other times, we walk with a partner and share the journey.  Either way, each step we take prepares us for our permanent home someday in Heaven with Jesus.

No matter if you have never physically moved or moved from place to place, our Heavenly Father is always our safe place.  God is our safe place in our grief and sorrow and in our joys and good times.  We always need a safe place to dwell where we can laugh and enjoy life with someone we love and where we can cry and share our sorrow with the one who loves us the most.

Find your place!

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