Safe Inside - Happy Birthday Mary!

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. (Psalm 84:1-4 NIV).

First, let me say that today is a VERY special day in our home. It’s Mary’s birthday! She is “39” today. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. Even though we have been married for nearly forty-two years, it was an arranged marriage before her conception (insert big smile here)! Anyway, Happy Birthday Mary!

Let me get to two seemingly unrelated events and an important principle. The first is Mary’s birthday while the second is a wren that flew in my back door last week. Here’s the beginning of the story. Last week the weather was calling for strong thunderstorms in our area with accompanying high winds. I went outside to take down the patio umbrella and hammock so they would not be damaged by the winds and when I opened the door, the wren flew inside! I guess it thought it was safer inside than outside. Go figure! But then I thought about Mary’s birthday and the passage today and God gave me the perfect illustration!

Many people may not know how important Mary has been in the development of our home. Often, because I am “in front” of people so much more, people don’t get the opportunity to see the strength and wisdom Mary has. Like a house, the home within often goes unnoticed. We notice the structure without considering the things that make it a home. It’s what the psalmist sees in the presence of God when he uses the words “home” and “nest.” I wonder how many people have confused a building with a “nest?” Let me make two observations.

1. First, God never let’s go. We are always safe in Him. Mary is like that. Relationship is everything. When we make our home in the presence of God, that position will never change. We may have times when our fellowship wanes, when we make choices that take us away from the joy, peace, and power of His presence, but we can never lose our relationship to Him as Father.

2. Second, God’s home is always our home. Mary and I have moved into many houses over the years, but she always made sure our children knew they would always have a home. It has never mattered how far away we may be separated geographically, home has been where we have “let our anchor down.” The same is true with the “dwelling place” of God. The very nature of it gives us security. Because he is there, it is not merely a safe place, but a permanent place. God is eternal, so is His home!

I am so grateful that God has allowed me to spend my life with Mary. She has shown me the eternal nature of the nest our Father has given me through His grace in Christ! Do you know that grace? You can. His door is open, fly on in! Happy Birthday Mary… and thanks!