My Safe Place

When I was 4 1/2 years old my father became very ill. My parents had five children at that time, two older than myself and two younger. Being a middle child and one who had a tendency to be hyperactive, my mother didn’t have much of a choice. Having her hands more than full I was sent to live temporarily with an aunt and uncle in Kentucky. It may sound awful that a child so young had to leave home and at the time it probably felt frightening. To be honest, I don’t remember the fear. My cousins were much older than I was and it was like being the baby. I enjoyed the attention. My aunt and uncle had three children. My cousin, Woody was the youngest and 11 years older than myself. I got lots of loving from all of them. My heart was stolen though by my Aunt Anna. I loved every move she made. She and my uncle were both school teachers, hard workers and loved working their farm.

I hung pretty close to my Aunt Anna and even after my father improved and I was taken back home my heart longed for her. She had become my safe place. My two older brothers were very mischievous and would scheme against me. My father would discipline them but that was not a deterrent to them. When home, I tried to stay close to my father (he became my base, my safe place) but he couldn’t be everywhere. I remember running to him once and grabbing his leg. He looked down at me and ask if anything was wrong. I looked up and said, “Not now.” He smiled, picked me up and held me for a while.

Every summer though I would beg to go stay with Aunt Anna. I didn’t mind the farm work if I could just be there. I remember the first hugs of summer. She would be waiting on the porch for me as we pulled up into the driveway. I would jump out of the car and head for her arms. Oh, how I loved that moment. As I grew she taught me to wash clothes with a ringer washer, churn butter, can vegetables, and my uncle taught me to work the garden. I didn’t enjoy all the work sometimes but was very willing just to be there with her. She was my safe place. Her love, kindness and attention meant the world to me.

Today, I have a wonderful husband, and a family of my own. My brothers have grown and apologized for working so hard at destroying me. Still yet, there are times when life gets tough and Satan schemes to destroy me. I can’t run to Aunt Anna, or my father they are both with Jesus but I do have a safe place to run. Just like the time when I grabbed my father’s leg and he asked if anything was wrong, I now run to my heavenly father. Once I grab a hold of Him I know everything is going to be ok. Unlike, my earthly father, my heavenly father can be with me everywhere. He is always with me. So when I am being chased I run directly to Him and grab a hold of my safe place.

Psalm 27:5

New International Version (NIV)

"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."

I am safe in His dwelling (presence). A place to hide from the enemy. :)
Barbara M.