Safe Place

 “The only love that won’t disappoint you is one that can’t change, that can’t be lost, that is not based on the ups and downs of life or of how well you live. It is something that not even death can take away from you. God’s love is the only thing like that. Phillip Keller

The other day I was heading toward home and the sky was getting darker, rain was beginning to fall. The wind was whipping my hair and clothes as I hurriedly walked.

I love this kind of weather even though I know it could produce serious damage. There is something beautiful standing on the edge of a storm watching God release nature. As beautiful as it was, I hurried home to a safe place before it really cut loose.

1 Peter 1:6 and James 1:2 both talk about the trials of many kinds. They come in many shapes and sizes and do not always come in a spiritual wrapper.

Randomness trials can hit without warning. I have California friend who would never live in a tornado zone. I tell them, at least in those place you have a warning of what is coming. Yet, there is no warning minutes before an earthquake which happens all the time in the west coast.

Up to a few weeks ago I was not taking walks in the woods of northern Mn and enjoying all the beauty of nature. I decided to once again face my fear of meeting a bear, get my walking stick out and walk. My body needs the exercise, my mind needs the peace that nature brings and I needed to trust God those bears are more afraid of me then I am of them. (Not really sure if that is true or not) Yesterday, I played music on my phone in hopes bears would hear it and shy away from me.

There is a song I sing when I am going through a trial, it's my safe place. Because a trial can cause me to doubt this truth, that Jesus loves me. So I battle back with the song, Jesus loves me this I know, Knowing God loves me keeps me balanced between stepping out in faith and being cautious. I would not walk in a lightening storm, or a tornado.

Do you have a safe place song that comes to mind when you are in a trial?

1. Jesus loves me! This I know,
   For the Bible tells me so;
   Little ones to Him belong;
   They are weak, but He is strong.
   • Refrain:
     Yes, Jesus loves me!
     Yes, Jesus loves me!
     Yes, Jesus loves me!
     The Bible tells me so.
2. Jesus loves me! This I know,
   As He loved so long ago,
   Taking children on His knee,
   Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
3. Jesus loves me still today,
   Walking with me on my way,
   Wanting as a friend to give
   Light and love to all who live.
4. Jesus loves me! He who died
   Heaven’s gate to open wide;
   He will wash away my sin,
   Let His little child come in.
5. Jesus loves me! He will stay
   Close beside me all the way;
   Thou hast bled and died for me,
   I will henceforth live for Thee.