I want to say a big “thank you” to Joyce Rieves for doing those good One Calls of hers while I’ve been gone. It was much appreciated.
As most of you know, just a few days ago, Mary Ann and I got back from a wonderful vacation to various places in Europe. And you also probably know that I tested positive for COVID so I’m hiding away here at home where I’m getting along just fine.
Speaking of hiding out, in Amsterdam one of the highlights of our trip was actually walking into the very rooms where the girl, Ann Frank, hid for 2 years from Nazi oppressors, trying never to make a sound for fear of being discovered. She and her family were discovered just before the end of the war and everyone except her father died in the concentration camps.
I’m in no way comparing my slight inconvenience with her massive need to hibernate out of fear for her life, but it does make me think of the things, big and small, that make us feel the need to hide out for a while. It can be anything from health issues, to feeling attacked, to overwork or any number of life problems that make you want to run and hide.
Actually, it makes me wonder what was in the Psalmist’s mind when he said about God in the 32nd Psalm: “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
It sounds like everyone needs a hiding place from time to time – maybe you feel that today! A need to feel safe and surrounded by loving care. My grandmother used to do that for me when I was little, and she would sing to me. David, the likely writer of Psalm 32 says that God will “surround me with songs of deliverance.”
May you have a safe hiding place – and Jesus would add: “Don’t be afraid.”
I’ll see you Sunday. And my plan is to be out of hiding by then and preaching as usual. Bye for now.
