Safe Places

Does anyone remember this sign? It's always what I think of when I hear the phrase "safe place." In Madison, it could be found at your local Wendy's. If you were in trouble, you could go there for help.

"Safe Place." That phrase has been said to me more than once and by more than one person in the past two days. I know that the people who have said that to me mean it and I believe them, so I’m wondering what my hang-up is.

If I believe them…that really only leaves one option – I’m the one who is keeping that “safety” at bay. It’s not that I don’t believe that “safe places” exist…I do. (I’m actually pretty good at creating them for others.) And I really do believe the individuals who have offered them to me. But, apparently, it isn’t just about believing. I guess believing and accepting are two different things.

It’s a strange thing really – the ability to accept or not accept. Something miraculous happened when I accepted the gift of eternal life. I had heard the story since infancy. I believed it. But, even as a little girl, once I accepted it, it was true. Doubts have wafted in and out over the years…but in my heart of hearts, once I accepted that gift – that truth – the deal was sealed.

I don’t believe that the miracle of faith is relegated to that one decision in that one moment in time. So, I wonder if a little miracle happens every time you accept something that you have trouble receiving. Is acceptance of Truth – any Truth – always as powerful? Is that part of working out our salvation with fear and trembling?

There’s some essence of choice in accepting. I've known people who believe Jesus – but just can’t bring themselves to accept what He did for them. Acceptance is a choice… It’s opening your hands. Posturing, palms up. Saying “yes, and” rather than “no, but.” It’s trusting. It’s faith.

I think acceptance is where the rubber meets the road. It’s where the miraculous meets the mundane. It’s the culmination of the head intertwining with the heart. It’s found in the moment when we take one step and God jumps the chasm.

I have been granted me the ability to accept the ultimate gift…oh that I might also be granted the ability to accept all good and perfect gifts offered to me.

God Likes Needy

It's a recent character trait, I think, but I don't do well when people are "needy." If you ask some long-time friends or family members, they would be surprised by that confession because I'm well known for taking people under my wing...but at least for the time being, it is true. In the same vein, I don't like appearing needy myself. And isn't that how it usually works? The traits that you are irritated by in others, are the ones you hate about yourself? But, truthfully, we're all needy in some way...and I just don't like other people to see it.

The other day I was asking God to do something that was fairly trivial with definite threads of neediness patterned through it. I told God: "I know this sounds needy, but..." And immediately the words appeared in my heart: "I like needy."

I took such comfort in realizing that God likes needy. Can you imagine how greatly the number of "needy" people would be reduced if we only chose to take the needs, big, small and silly, to Jesus? How much more free we would all be with a safe place to admit our neediness - with no apprehension in exposing insecurities or fears? There is so much acceptance in that single phrase. God likes needy. 

He not only likes it - He desires it. It brings Him joy when we admit our need to Him. And you know what? Two things had happened after I uttered those words. First, I didn't feel "needy" anymore. I felt understood and I felt loved. And secondly, within 24 hours, He gave me a little wink (that only I would recognize) acknowledging and affirming that silly little need.

Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

Even our silly, needy cares.