Learning how to find refuge

Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3 NKJV

Can you remember what you were doing when you were 9 years old? I was at a little primary school in Auckland. We would walk to school carefree. On Sundays we would roller-skate in the local Supermarket car park because there was no Sunday trading. We would have fun (and some scary moments) sailing around the Hauraki Gulf on the yacht my father built. I was part of a family that loved me and encouraged me. There was probably some stress in my parents life, but I was oblivious to that, and that oblivion was okay because they were adults and I was a child. Kid's lives are supposed to be stress free. Aren't they?

On the news we can see that there are many kids whose lives aren't stress free. No, for some every day is a fight for survival. 

In our little world here of Valentine, our little nine year old's world has been punctured by fear and anxiety for the past week or so, as her next scan draws nearer. It is heart-breaking to watch.

How do you teach a nine year old to find refuge in God?

My answer - by letting her keep living life, not isolating and withdrawing her from life and the hardships. But rather, letting her experience the many ways God has provided refuge for her.

Refuge - a shelter from pursuit or danger or trouble; a person or place offering this; a person, thing, or course resorted to in difficulties. (Oxford Concise Australian Dictionary)

Here are some of the ways that God has provided refuge for Victoria over the past 10 days......

With the swimming coach - who took the extra time to encourage her to try something new this week

With the school teachers - who have gifted her with grace as they have moved her from class to class finding distractions, and given her beautiful physical gifts.

With the school office staff - who provide cuddles, a comforting word and the phone call to mum.

With the sports teacher - who takes extra time to help her prepare for the school athletics competition next week

With the 4WD clubs - who gave up their Sunday to give the Camp Quality families fun on Stockton beach. 

With her brother - showing her a new app on the ipad (although I don't know if it was entirely appropriate)

With her sisters - as they blast out Toby Mac songs in my car, singing at the top of their lungs - this is not a test, this is the real thing!

With Ken - taking her out on a donut date for afternoon tea

With me - sitting in the back seat of the car together after arriving home for school. Just sitting together, few words spoken.

With her journal - writing her thoughts to God and drawing love hearts.

With my missing bible - reading with the torch at night, when the lights should have been out.

 

And all this with the prayer covering of many who have stood in faith with her for the past six years.

This is the refuge that only a loving God can provide. 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." Psalm 91:1-4 NKJV

Thank you to everyone who has provided refuge to Victoria in some way this week.