The Shelter
My family has a special place where we have begun to gather the past few years as we have grown so large. We’ve gathered for birthdays, reunions, church services and recently we gathered again for a memorial service honoring three of our family members who’ve passed in the past few months. It is a sweet place where we’ve been able to collectively laugh, cry and just be free from responsibilities for a bit. We have aptly and simply named it “The Shelter”. For us, its name brings forth so many memories that we cherish. Recently, another shelter has special meaning for me and my sisters as well. It is located in my Florida hometown at a beautiful park on a lake. My late sister’s memorial service was held there, too, a week after she passed. Now, I go there for my walks. There, I feel so close to her and my other sisters. I feel close to God.
Sweet Memories
Most parks have pavilions or shelters with picnic tables now where families and friends can gather, play games, barbecue and just be together in nature, yet have access to amenities. We can gather together outside yet be sheltered from sun or rain and not feel stuffed into a venue or building where numbers are limited. I love these places gracing most cities and towns in America. They represent freedom, peace and nature – outside yet covered and protected. What wonderful gathering places to celebrate or remember each other!
Today, on my walk at “my” Shelter #8, I saw an older couple enjoying the cool breeze in the pavilion’s shade playing cards and just talking. I didn’t mind. We were both meant to be there today. Not far away, a family fired up the grill while the children played on the playground nearby. All cares of the world were temporarily forgotten. My particular lake and park reminds me of “old” Florida, where Spanish moss hang from tall trees blowing softly in the breeze from the lake. It’s peaceful. Our family’s shelter in Ohio graces a wide, open grassy area perfect for playing games. The children run gleefully. The adults play beanbags and basketball. It’s a wonderful place for all ages to celebrate each other leaving the world behind for just a moment. We sing and laugh loudly without intrusion or concern.
Your Special Place
You may also have a place where your own family and friends gather that invokes sweet memories as well. Just driving or walking by that place reminds us of our loved ones and cherished memories. What is your “shelter”? What is that special place? Does it cover and protect you and your memories? It becomes so much more than just a location, doesn’t it? It stops time for a moment so that we can reflect. Even today, on my walk, I got a little choked up seeing the sign for “Shelter 8” as we had gathered there last fall to remember and honor our late sister. But it was sweet. Who knew a simple sign could be so meaningful?
Yahweh, Our Shelter
God is like that. We can easily replace the name “Shelter” with Yahweh, the name of God Himself. “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5). Just like our shelters at our parks, HE is our shelter – covering and protecting His children. Our shelter covers and protects us from storms in nature, but He, as our Shelter, covers and protects us from the storms in life. We need to run toward Him and allow Him to guard and defend us against those storms conjured up by the enemy. Our shelters are made of wood and concrete, offering us protection and provision from sun and storms. God is real as the Creator and divine Savior. As our Shelter, He protects us and offers provision as well - if only we run toward Him. My limited mind cannot fathom that the Creator of the universe is right here with me, covering and protecting me. And yet He is.
Tonya Noren
July 31, 2021