Monday, August 8, 2022

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.




4 comments:

  1. I love to sing Jesus Loves Me whenever I am afraid or in need of a little bit of comfort. It soothes my soul. Regarding walking with the bears...in our previous home in the Salt Springs National Forest we had bears all around us, often walking through our yard at night and sometimes during the day. When we took our daily walk up our road I always did so in broad daylight and normally my hubby was with me. I rarely took off alone because of the possibility of the bears, and I did have a close encounter one day when I was alone and only a few yards from our house. I started wearing a "bear whistle" around my neck and would often just blow it to let them know I was coming. If I ever saw one, I stood still and then started making lots of noise. They normally would look at me very curiously and once they determined I was not a threat to them, they usually hurried into the woods. However, if they had any cubs nearby, I definitely stayed far and far away and got back to my safe place quickly. Never turn your back on them and run. I am sure you already know all of this, but it is good to be reminded of the safety rules when walking in bear country. I also always had my camera ready and have some great photos. Thankfully it has a good zoom lens. LOL. Yes, Jesus is with us wherever we go, but we shouldn't deliberately put ourselves in harms way. Singing Jesus Loves Me and other songs of faith loudly can certainly drive any enemies away. I enjoyed your post. It brought back memories of my walks. Now where we live it is pretty tame, but I still am aware of potential enemies lurking and still prefer never to walk alone if I can help it. I also carry my cell phone. "Jesus loves me, He will stay, close beside me all the way; Thou has bled and died for me, I will henceforth live for Thee!". Love that verse. Wish more knew that one! God bless you dear friend. God is with you wherever you go.

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    Replies
    1. Last year my husband walked with me but his hips are giving him lots of issues so he is not walking this year. He has put on a lot of weight this past winter and I think that is why his hips hurt. That fear of bears makes me very aware of where I walk, making sure I have my phone on me and playing music or singing as I walk. I read about wearing a bell around me and the noise from it would alert the bears. I have not seen one yet but several close to us have. We did have one last year get into our trash. Seems to be more sightings this year than last. I like to walk alone as it gives me time to think upon things God is teaching me. My husband and I are together every day except on Wed when he mows the city golf course. I love that last lines in the song too, my favorite. Thanks Pam for sharing your courage with me, it helps me. Blessings.

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