I remember one year my husband and I decided to begin planning a vacation. Since we both work in healthcare it is literally like pulling teeth to be granted time off together. I thought by the time a person earned gray hair and a double chin, some things in life would get easier. Let me tell you my friends, time off work is still just as difficult, if not more so than before I had to “wash that gray right out of my hair”! We have to make the official request months ahead of time in hopes we would both still be walking on this planet by the time we saw the K/C off on written on our yearly calendar.
Our hopes were to get “away from it all”. Since I tend to be the “travel agent” in my family, I ended up spending hours of screen time in search of the perfect getaway. Our goal was to be within a reasonable distance from our home, as we didn’t want to spend half of our vacation in a vehicle that transports us daily to our work sites, just to end up with food delicacies that mirror what we see in our local suburban neighborhood. Our trip needed to be affordable and simple. We have done the Carribean high-end vacation and honestly, all it accomplished for us was a bank account screaming “feed me Seymor” and horror at the sight of poverty that surrounded our all-inclusive bubble of privilege. We wanted privacy and quiet. Our grandchildren are all in their twenties and we no longer crave the sweet babble of little ones in the next room or the sound of splashing water as pre-teens cannonball to impress each other in the common hotel pool. We were also looking for a place surrounded by God’s creation. We love to work in our yard, but wanted to look at His beauty, working in it wasn’t in the picture.
God lead us to a quiet Amish community in Indiana. I started to take a deep cleansing breath when we were about an hour away from our rental. I immediately noticed that people’s smiles came quicker, I no longer was left in the dust by an SUV that had somewhere very important to go. Big box shopping turned into mom and pop stores. It felt like we walked onto another planet. A planet of peace, tranquility, and simplicity.
Our rental was as perfect as I could have expected on this side of heaven. Warm, clean, spacious and obviously built with quiet and rest in mind. The views of the lake were unobstructed and to top it off the books left for our perusal were those that we would pick for ourselves. Books that address issues in our country from the perspective of our Father, books that open the door to growth in our faith and understanding of the word of God.
Our hosts created this space for us and many others that would bring their weary bodies through that wooden door made of love. They created this sanctuary, this haven of rest, this place where our ragged breathing is replaced with fresh deep breaths filled with the Holy Spirit. My mind’s eye imagined the builders praying as they pounded each nail, hung every picture and installed every appliance.
This light of truth challenged me. I too am surrounded by those, like myself, who need a sanctuary. A place of safety and quiet. So many people are holding their breath as it is the only option in the presence of fear of the next disaster. They are consumed with the current-day disturbing new stories which offer no hope, no solution or resolution. They need a place to breathe in the peace, comfort, hope and rest that only our creator and His truth can offer. They need a sanctuary.
Do I offer sanctuary to those around me? Do I offer a place of rest, joy and hope in the midst of the hopeless? Are those who share space with me on this terra firma, enveloped by the peace and assurance of a Savior who loves them, or does my presence stockpile their frenzy, their chaos, and confusion? Because I am a follower of Christ, I have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in me. While he remains in me and I in him, I am able to share the good news of God’s love, provision, presence, and ultimate victory. I am called to be the “light of the world”, “salt of the earth”. I am called to bring the “good news” to anyone who will hear. My marching orders are to offer the sanctuary of our Father.
Scripture teaches us who are believers “whoever refreshes others will themselves be refreshed” – Proverbs 11:25. Lord let me breathe in your presence, that I may refresh those around me, let me be keenly aware of those around me who need your sanctuary, to you be the glory!
Karen
thank you!