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You are my hiding place

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place,

I am someone who makes new year’s resolutions, this year it was particularly around time management as I had found myself becoming too busy. So, in December I had worked out a plan, talked it over with my friend and mentor and was ready to put it in place.

Then in the first week of January my dad became seriously unwell and underwent a long surgery and spent most of the month in hospital (NHS has been wonderful). This has led to many follow up appointments, sudden returns to hospital and ongoing care.

My plan to be less busy and for life to be more manageable has well and truly gone out the window.

One evening I walked into the youth centre where I work, I was exhausted, and if I’m honest struggling to hold it together. I noticed one of the children sitting alone under the football table, so I decided to go and chat. She said to me ” you look sad”, I explained a bit about my dad and that I was worried and tired. I said to her “you haven’t been yourself lately either what’s happening?” she said “there’s just stuff going on at home”. I was aware of the usual noise and chaos of the youth group around us but Lianne said, ” can we stay under here for the whole session, I don’t want to be part of the noise tonight”. So, we sat together and played bingo for 45minutes, just the two of us, sheltering together from the chaos of 20 other children.

It was a holy moment. I was struck that this child from a traumatic family life had noticed me, noticed I was tired and not my usual bouncy self and invited me to join her in the hiding place she had found.

Lianne’s words were like an invitation from Jesus, I see you, come and sit with me out of the chaos and noise for a while, come and sit in my hiding place.

Life continues to be unpredictable and as I write this dad is back in hospital. But as I was struck by Lianne’s invitation to sit with her that night and find some peace. I have continued to look for those unexpected moments to sit with Jesus and shelter from the chaos for a while.

And as for my new year’s resolution….well there’s always next year.

This week’s thought was written by Sandra Crawford, Pioneer Minister and EBA Trustee