Do you have a place where you feel completely at home, relaxed, loved and secure? It’s a gift to have such a soul sanctuary, isn’t it? Though many of us struggle to find it and some miss out altogether, maybe due to the unkindness of others or their own limited ability to seek out a safe place for themselves.
Our homes are meant to be soul sanctuary havens. They’re supposed to represent the loving parental way God cares for us. But often they don’t. If you, like me, grew up feeling confined, insecure, unloved and unwanted because your family of origin didn’t provide the stability you needed to grow strong on the inside, then all is not lost.
“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” — Psalm 18:19 NIV
I found my safe place in God. He alone can provide the complete soul solace we need in life. Other people and things might try to plug the gap, and succeed to some extent, but God gives us the means to rest all that we are: our fear, pain and shame, our identity and name, our past, present and future, our weariness, brokenness, wounds and mess in Him.
“You’ve always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, a lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest. You’ve always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you.” — Psalm 61:4 The Message
I am seeking
I am seeking
a quiet stream underneath
life’s detritus
beyond the fluctuating
a place that welcomes waiting
I am seeking
a still point in my life
to anchor me
when tides rise higher still
and I lose my heart, my will
I am seeking
somewhere secure and safe
a refuge
so I can reach out again
with courage, hope, confidence
I am seeking
signs of life when all looks dead
to survive
days of darkness and drear
times I want to disappear
I am seeking
more than this world contains
holy rain
deep connectivity
a place to sit, grow and breathe
© joylenton
Adversity hits us universally but our ways of coping are as individual as we are. I’m learning to rest myself more in God instead of wearying myself out worrying about everything. Faith and trust, coupled with experience, have shown me it’s the wisest course of action, especially when I cannot help myself.
One place I always feel comfortable sharing my words is with the fabulous five-minute-friday crew as we write on this week’s prompt of “place.” You are welcome to join us here and read the great variety of posts being shared. 🙂
By the way, dear reader, you might like to know that the poem above has been taken from my forthcoming new book, Embracing Hope: Soul Food to Help Chase Away the Blues, which is an eclectic mix of poetry, reflections and blessings and is due to be published soon! I chose it because I’m way too fatigued to think straight, and it’s about a place where my soul feels secure, loved and safe.
Poetry Joy 
Congratulations on your forth coming book–may it be a blessing to many. You are right, God is our refuge. I’m your neighbor at FMF
Thanks, Carol, that is my hope and prayer! I’m so grateful God is our refuge and strength. Blessings on your weekend. 😊
Dearest Joy, this is so beautiful. Thank you so much for your deeply sensitive and touching words. They are wonderful. I would like to ask you a favour and wonder how you would feel if I ask if you would be happy for me to share your poem with others on a Quiet Day taking place later in the year? It fits so perfectly with the thoughts I am having as I prepare for it. If you would prefer not, for any reason, I will totally understand and wholeheartedly respect your wishes. Also, please don’t feel any pressure. There is none at all. Only the greatest of respect for your beautiful words and sharing. With much love, Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth, I’m touched by your kind appreciation of these words and honoured to hear you would like to share them with others. Yes, of course, you can, my friend, with my full blessing! All I would ask is that you would give creditation and state their source, linking back to me and my book. I’m delighted for the poem to be used as you intend to. I hope and pray that others will benefit from receiving the thoughts they convey. Thank you so much for asking! With much love and grateful hugs. xo 💜
Dear Joy, Thank you so much. Oh yes, of course, I would most definitely tell those present who wrote the poem and where it – and others like it – may be found. That would be my pleasure. I am most grateful to you. It will fit perfectly and I’mm sure it will touch souls, as your words always do. Bless you and much love, Elizabeth xx
Thank you, Elizabeth. I appreciate your sweet encouragement. And I’m so happy for my words to be shared. The ability to touch souls through our words is a huge privilege and joy. Blessings and love to you, dear friend! xo 💜
another heartfelt, beautiful reflection my friend! Thank you for sharing and blessings on the book! How cool!!!
I’m glad it spoke to you, Nancie! Thank you so much for your kind encouragement about the book! I’ll be sharing the news again once it is published. And giving a link to where it can be found. Blessings on your Sabbath. xo 💜
I have a couple of places that I would define as my soul sanctuaries.
Oh, that sounds intriguing, Tara. It’s good to know you have those soul sanctuaries to support you and give you hope. xo 💜
Nothing better than the secret place of the Most High.
Amen, Becky! It’s the best place in the world in which to shelter our souls. xo 😊💜
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
A beautiful reflection, Joy ❤️
Thank you, Michael! I’m honoured you shared this post with your readers. And I’m grateful it spoke to you too. ❤
Dear Joy,
Your words always bring tears to my eyes, especially this ending stanza:
“I am seeking
more than this world contains
holy rain
deep connectivity
a place to sit, grow and breathe”
Oh, how I am yearning to be bathed in His holy rain. What a beautiful picture you have shared with us. I am just so excited over your new book, and praying for God’s perfect timing in the release and publishing of it! May you feel so safe and sheltered as you finalize the ending stages of it! Congratulations, Hugs and Love my Dear Friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie, those things are precious, aren’t they? We find them most in God’s presence but also in companionship with each other. You have so often been a means of soul refreshing “holy rain” to me. And I am so thankful for your support for my words here and for the book to come. Love and hugs to you, dear friend! xoxo 💜
“I’m learning to rest myself more in God instead of wearying myself out worrying about everything.” Oh, yes, me too! I love this encouraging post, Joy. Our Lord is the only place where we can find true refuge from the storms. Your poem is beautiful! Sending you much love with many blessings! xo
You, too Gayl? It’s a steep learning curve sometimes, because worrying can become our default mode without us realising it. But when we do, God is so gracious to give us the gift of His rest and peace! I’m so glad you were encouraged here, dear friend. Much love, hugs and blessings of deep soul rest to you! xo 💜
Beautiful, Joy. I have always loved this Message translation because of the words “breathing room”: “You’ve always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, a lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest. You’ve always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you.” — Psalm 61:4 The Message
And your poem is so good. Looking forward to your book releasing. Just know it will bless all who read it, as it has me. When I was writing that Lament the words of one of your poems returned that had so encouraged me, about our path being known in Christ. It breathed such peace into my anxious, weary soul. You have such a Holy Spirit infused gift. Love you and so thankful for you.
Anna, I came across the Message translation when sourcing a Bible verse and I loved it straight away for the same reason you do. Knowing that God offers us “breathing room” is so restful and freeing, isn’t it? Thank you so much for your lovely encouragement. Our constant hope and prayer is that people will be blessed by the words we write, be they poetic or otherwise. Love and hugs to you, dear friend! xo 💜
Dear Joy,
Your words touched my heart with Love.He is the only who protects our ways because of him we are alive today.Awaiting for more writings….
Prayers!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Athira. I appreciate you stopping by. I try to write here once a week but you are welcome to dip into the archives as well. Blessings. 😊