I don’t know of anyone who likes to get sick. I know I don’t. And yet it happens periodically. Every year I get some kind of cold which brings me down for a few days. I may have to cancel some activities because I don’t feel the best, but I recover and things are fine.

This year was no exception. Last week I felt a slight sore throat one day, and of course my mind turned upside down and ran overtime wondering if this was the onset of Covid. I cancelled my dental appointment and stayed home.

But there is an upside to not feeling the best. On that day I forced myself to rest and take care of myself, something I often forget to do. I worked a bit on my to-do list, caught up on some financial stuff and deleted old emails. But mostly I just rested in my home refuge, our basement family room. I curled up with a hot beverage and a good book, and I even took a few naps, another thing that I seldom do. And I enjoyed watched the birds come to the feeders.

Thankfully by the end of the day I felt much better, and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief and get back to my “normal” life.

But my day of rest reminded me that resting is so very important. We need breaks from our “normal” lives, to rejuvenate our bodies as well as our minds. God wants us to rest, too. He himself rested on the seventh day of creation, and He instructed his people to rest on the Sabbath.

And we need a safe place, a refuge, where we can go to find that rest. At home, that place is my basement. Away from home, I find refuge in nature and in the Chapel at my church. But ultimately I need a spiritual place of refuge and rest, and for me, that place is Jesus. The beauty of having Jesus as my refuge is that I can access him anywhere, at any time. All I need to do is pray, and His peace comes to me.

We all need refuge – so today I want to give you another poem, titled “My Refuge.” May you be blessed with a place of refuge in your life.

My Refuge

Where is my refuge, O Lord of grace?

Where will I find it? Where is that place?

Where is the calmness I seek for my soul;

The feeling of being perfected and whole?

When I need refuge, security, love;

I only need to look high up above.

Just close my eyes and then open my heart;

Let my Lord’s deep love in grace do its part.

The gift of sweet refuge is easy to see;

Refuge is anywhere that I might be.

Refuge is found in my family so dear;

Sisters in Jesus, all lending an ear.

Refuge is found is a special retreat;

Lingering, pondering our faith so sweet.

It is in nature, hearing the sounds;

Seeing the beauty; creation abounds.

Refuge is found when I just sit and muse

On Scriptural verses that form the Good News.

Refuge is tasting the sweet Bread of Life;

Nourishing, lifting me far from my strife.

God is my refuge, my fortress and shield;

He will sustain me and make my heart yield.

He will grasp hold of my spirit and soul;

God is my refuge in whom I am whole.

Have a blessed Monday!

Faye

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