Home Should Be A Refuge

Our community was devastated by a storm this weekend. It knocked out power, leveled trees and severely damaged houses. There are people even today that are still without air conditioning - and it's going to be about 100 degrees by mid-day.


You can imagine the energy level in town right now. There are frantic people trying to find out when they'll have power again. Some are trying to find a place to stay until their home is livable. Many are just standing around talking, trying to figure out how to get things cleaned up and back to normal. Frenzied is a good word, as the daily routine has been knocked out of whack.

In contrast, our land was barely touched. Sure, we've got a few limbs down, but the house is fine and we're all safe and sound. We're not dealing with the life-altering damage that others just a few miles away are.

A friend came to fish the ponds yesterday and commented on how quiet and peaceful the property is. We're far enough off the highway that you can't hear much traffic. There are no city noises or other people to deal with. Once you drive to the top of our hill, you're pretty secluded from the world outside.

This the haven he was desperate for after a night of no power, having to go out looking for a meal and interacting with other anxious people. This isn't a normal situation, and there was very little peace to be found within the city limits.

It blesses my heart that the home we've created is a refuge for someone other than us. We've always felt like this was our safe haven from the trials and tribulations of the day, and it means even more that we're able to share it with someone else who needs some peace and quiet.

But it's not the peace and quiet that comes from the world. We have purposely bathed our home in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings God has bestowed. No amount of landscaping, paint, furniture or electronics can ever add up to the security of trusting in the Lord.
The next storm that comes along may damage our house this time, but that can't destroy the refuge that God has created in our home.
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. Hebrews 3:4

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