Shelter

"It is in the shelter of each other that people live."

  Can I challenge you to write one sentence in response to this quote before you read my many sentences of response?

Years ago at a Dry Gulch Women's Retreat,  ( Dry Gulch is, of course,  what Heaven will be like);  a speaker spoke about "shelter".  From scripture, she took 3 Hebrew words meaning "shelter"  and spoke about each of them.  She had photos of the 3 different shelters and spoke of how God meant for them to be used in our lives.   I don't remember much of the message but I felt very comforted by the thought of those shelters. 

Shelter:   covered,  protected,  safe.

So when this quote popped up in my "one-sentence daily journal",  it intrigued me.  I started thinkin
about it.   Certainly children live within the shelter of their parents.  Many women are blessed enough to live within the shelter of their husbands.  I've sought and found shelter in my church family.   Thinkin on this,  I discovered,  I have indeed lived in the shelter of others.   I am beyond grateful for them. 

However,  I have also lived in the shelter of the Almighty God.  Living out Psalm 91:1   " Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." 

It should come as no big revelation that we have to move into the shelter.  Oklahomans know it's important move into the shelter before the storm gets too close.  We need to create and cultivate our 'shelter' of people before we need their shelter.  Additionally,  we need to cultivate living in the shelter of the Most High before we need His protection, covering and safety. 

Take shelter today even if you're living in the Son.     

   

Psalm 86

     THINKIN’ On  these words of David  in Psalm 86.    It was written during one of David’s many tough times.    He begins by asking God to “hear”  him and “answer”    He repeats this request again in verse 6.  And this time,   David asks God to hear him and grant him,  not what he deserves,  but mercy.  The Message translation calls David a “wretch”.  A wretch would certainly have earned punishment.  Because  Mercy is undeserved, David acknowledges he is asking for something he did not deserve.  Then,  he says something that he knows from experience,  God answers him when he calls.  He is confident in the request he is making of God.  He spends the next 3 verses exalting God and reminding himself of God’s deeds and faithfulness.  He acknowledges his foes and ruthless people around him and then he says the piece de resistance,   He reminds himself and God of the characteristics of God:  “compassionate and gracious,  slow to anger,  abounding in love and faithfulness.”

No wonder David trusted this God whom there was no one like and whose deeds cannot compare with any other.  Imagine,  he is kind and tender, giving,  patient, full of love and he never, never quits. 

 One morning not to long ago,  I was THINKIN’on these THINGS when I realized. This prayer of David in verses 6&7 encompasses all my (and your) needs  “Hear my prayer, Lord”   turn to me,  incline your ear to me,  listen, pay attention because in your presence there is all I need. Hundreds of chorus’ tell of the things that happen in his presence. When  I enter into His presence, I have set myself up for successful requests. 

“Listen to my cry for mercy”  Forgive us,  even though we are undeserving.   Heal us,  deliver us, save us,  not because of what we do but because of who YOU are.

“…in distress I call to you”   We need strength for the suffering, the trials that we and our loved ones are experiencing.    We have needs that require deliverance from cancer,  sin,  sickness, mental health issues.    This verse allows me to enumerate my four  cancer ridden friends,  two young men with traumatic brain injuries, the prodigals,  and their mothers.  These needs “distress” me but right in this Word,  it says I can call to God regarding these needs. 

“because you answer me.”   I ask these things because I know you will answer me. And should there be any doubt about this,  I can skip down and remember that my God is compassionate and gracious. 

  Praying Psalm 86 today and Thinkin´on it.     

Examples

A recent morning devotion sitting under a Colorado sky with a cool breeze  ( not wind OKLA friends),  and a cup of coffee made me pause.  It talked about leading by example and asked who, in  (My) life had led me by example.  Example is different than teaching me something or impacting my life.  Example is the person who lived what they taught me.
    

I thought immediately of the colleagues who shaped me as a teacher.  I can rattle off their names in a second.  My former classroom reeked of their influence and even now,  subbing and instructional coaching,  I still draw from them.  I even called one of them last night for reassurance about a recommendation I was making to my current boss.

I thought of my childhood mentors, most of them waiting for me in Heaven.   Versal Denton,  who knew the scriptures inside out,  who we would see praying before class and would look to the heavens before answering our adolescent questions.   Who modeled what she taught even if I ran into her at the grocery store.  She, who years later would hold me in prayer as I buried my first grandchild.  She battled cancer and a host of other health issues before going to Heaven,  but her example never wavered.  And most of you have never heard of her. 

As a young wife, mother and lay person,  I encountered many women who led by example.  Brenda Holder,  the quintessential pastors wife who taught me that pastor’s wives are just people too. 

Jean Cobb,  who would teach me about prayer and resources.  She knew so much scripture  but led by example to seek counsel. 

Estes Eubanks and Rosie Yandell who taught this Lay Person that she had a valuable ministry despite not being “in the ministry”.  Their example ( and trust in me)  inspired me to press on to my best. 

Dee McNeil,  Loretta Wideman,  Tina Morrow,  women who led me to see the beauty in sacrifice.   Tina,  15 years my junior,  would show me how grace and mercy can save relationships. 

   Steve Green sang a song in the 90’s,  “May all who come behind us find us faithful,  may the light of our devotion light their way,  and the footprints that we leave,  lead them to believe and the life we live inspire them to obey…” 

Thinkin’  about MY example today.