A Safe Place

Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.”

A few weeks ago, a friend at work gave me this picture. I keep it on my desk. I look at it frequently to remind me that I am not alone. That I am safe. That I am cared for by a God who loves me, who hurts with me, who sends me tangible messages every day that He is WITH me. EVERY SINGLE DAY.

My friends rallied around me today in my tears — THANK YOU for hugs and prayers and texts. I don’t know what I did to deserve such amazing people in my life. They ask me, “Are you OK?” And when I say, “I’m having a tough time right now,” they don’t shrink from it. They press into the pain with me. They don’t give me shallow platitudes. They are real and honest with me. They don’t try to fix it because you can’t fix this. They are just WITH me.

When scripture paints a picture of God’s wings being around us, it is referring to the way a mother bird uses her wings to shelter her chicks. Under her wings is the natural place for the baby chick to snuggle into for warmth and safety.

When I am having a really tough time, I picture myself snuggling in underneath the "wings” of the Lord. This is my safe place. My refuge. My shelter. I picture the heart of God hurting for me, WITH me.

Often He sends people as his ambassadors to wrap their arms around me — a clear message that He is with me. This is God’s way of demonstrating His care for me. Of pulling me under His wings.

My refuge. Every single day.