My Hiding Place for the Times in Between

My hiding place, especially for the times in between the chaos, is in the quiet with my Jesus. Thank you, God, for the quiet times you come to me in the whispers of the morning. The beauty surrounding me, even in the storms of life, humbles me. I may sometimes forget to be still and take in all that you so wonderfully make.

I remember how important it is to go to you directly at these moments. When I take the time to breathe you in, Lord, I know you are in everything, and my future is in you. These times in between are the blessings. You provide a way to give them respite from the lessons and work on my journey to our home in heaven. God Bless the Hiding Place where you gently hold me close as I come to you, in the quiet.

It is one of those mornings where the kids are off from school, so one can delight because they are sleeping. It may only be a few extra minutes, yet it is beautifully peaceful. It sits in a room with expansive open windows on a glorious spring day. The sun is shining, and there is a beautiful stillness. You are sitting there, listening to the fantastic sounds of life. The combination of music and movement of the outside is astounding. It first hears cars and trucks passing on the nearby road and the occasional exit from our neighborhood. Attracted to the thought of where are those big engines headed and what awaits them this day?

God has prompted them to ready themselves for the day while He has me sitting here quietly observing the weekday dance. The scene creates a feeling of awe for the times in between. Watching the hustle and bustle of the vehicles heading into and out of town. In these in-between moments, there is utter peace and the conversation of chirping birds as they wake and discuss their day (at least, we can believe that is what they are doing?) It is, however, one of the most intentional sounds ever heard — seeing the trees as they stand prominent and bold against the blue sky God has allowed on this beautiful day. Ah, the peace and serenity of this moment.

Oh my, what was that? Someone stirred and rolled to the wooden floor beneath their bed ~ THUD~ and now they are moving step by step and hearing them as they take their first-morning stroll to the bathroom. No words, just movement. Then suddenly, like a top spinning rapidly out of control, the quiet disrupts. The puppy was now whining from her kennel. The whiney bark, her way of saying, “GET ME OUT OF HERE, PLEASE!”

Then there is another sound; the back door just FLEW open, and one of the offspring and a friend came as they had a sleepover the night before. They prance directly to your room and begin chatting about the day and their plans to go hiking and enjoy the lovely weather. We renew them with rest and the joy of their program as they are eager to meet with nature. They want to enjoy this day to its fullest, and it shows on their faces.

Now, the younger one has moved into the room with his hyper puppy in hand; although he looks sleepier, his puppy is very active and reaches for your face, wanting to pounce and lick you and trying to listen to all the sounds coming at you and in your mind. I say goodbye to the peaceful moment of listening to God’s whispers and the creations outdoors — shifting your attention to God’s designs in the room in your face — saying “Good Morning” with a gigantic smile, as you’re so aware of the many blessings.

For a minute, you try to weigh which of these sounds is more of a sampling of God’s humbling creation — eventually deciding that it is impossible to determine, as they are both so majestic. Both sounds and experiences are necessary in this world. We need the quiet so we can appreciate and go to Him often daily, hourly or minute-to-minute. The peaceful moments come throughout the day just by taking a second to enjoy the nature and beauty He has placed around us. We can permanently close our eyes or take a deep breath, slowly reflecting on the wonder of His gifts to us. Closing your eyes with just one cleansing breath is beneficial, allowing you to breathe Him in again.

The other sounds, the loud noises that are from a very active family, are sounds of pure love. The joy of awakening another day and being immediately grateful for the gift of children is a beautiful way to experience a morning in the activity, hearing them scurrying around, aware that their timing here is short. God has unique and individual plans for them; indeed, they will pursue them one day soon. I savor every second of kiddos bouncing into the room to greet me with an excitement similar to that of a happy puppy eager to share their day off from school.

As this day progresses with the new chores and needs of the day, such as laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning a bit, and getting new cleats for the child growing at an alarming rate, take one more moment to say, “Thank you, JESUS.”

Thank you, Father, for the cross, suffering, and resurrection. Thank you so that we may enjoy the moments of life. Thank you for the strength of Jesus showed so we may have the power for another day. Thank you for the blessings of our life. Thank you for the most beautiful husband who shares his love in constant acts of service to his wife, children, and others. Thank you for helping us understand our differences make us so very strong in Christ. Thank you for always bringing us together in the storms of life so that we remain grounded in You after it has come to us. Thank you for allowing us to throw a few hands of dirt or even a pebble at each other without damaging the Christ-centered heart of our marriage and relationships. Thank you for always allowing us our humanness with understanding and the guidance of your Holy Spirit back to the promises we trust. Thank you for letting us find laughter in our weaknesses and slip-ups. Thank you for choosing us to be together in this walk and constantly reminding us at any moment. Knowing if we turn to You either together or apart, all things will become growth in your plan for our lives. Thank you, God, for giving us a lasting love that is always hungry for your desires for our walk. Thank you, Jesus, for our children who have given us great joy and, the testing of our own will. Thank you for making them the fantastic kids that are hungry and seeking you in their lives. Thank you for the daily testimony of their lives to us as they face a world of crazy circumstances, violence, and negative attraction, as well as a media and a technologically overflowing world. Thank you, that our children face this world knowing you with an awareness that you, Jesus, walk beside them always. Thank you for life's trials, hardships, and joys, for each brings us closer to you.

So, I say THANK YOU, God, for my Father ~, THANK YOU to the Holy Spirit, my guiding light, and ~ THANK YOU, Jesus, FOR THE CROSS!

You, Father, are my HIDING PLACE ~ Thank you for the Times In Between.