A Shelter

A SHELTER IN THE STORM

A home provides shelter from the storm. It gives protection from the outside world and all its dangers. It brings security from the unknown, for everything in it is familiar to us. 

A home gives warmth, because of its people living in it. It is here where we share our secrets, our sorrows, our pains, our tears and our joy. In the home is unity; a family, parents and their children. 

It is a place where the children learn morals with their eyes and ears, where we come to know ourselves and each other.

It is here where love must abound, kindness is to be found, when Jesus is around.

I do realize that there are many who are not so fortunate in having a family, or a house to call home. Thousands of people on this globe have lost their homes and/or families due to disaster, war or crime.

Millions of people don't have a spiritual resting place, they don't have the Father, nor the Son, nor are they part of the family of God. May the Holy Spirit search the earth and its four corners, gathering many to be added to the Book of Life.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

For in time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

But if we walk in the light as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

IN HIS HOUSE

It's in this mansion we'll meet tonight

We're overwhelmed as we see His Light

We'll share the comfort of His love

and sing praises to God above

It's in this house we freely share

 experiences of hurts, pain and despair

 We may tell of His loving care

Thanking God together as we sup there.

This is the place I am longing for

 togetherness in Him... to fly and soar

Where all ours tears are wiped away

A house of strength, to escape from dismay

                       

Your present home may be big or small

He has prepared a place for us all

 Where we'll worship and sing praise

And plenty of room for people of all race

Glorious t'will be, together on our knees

Where from evil we'll find release

To adore Him, and glorify His Name

To be with Him, Who's always the Same

THANK YOU, LORD!

* ~ *~ *~ *~ *~ *

In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

The Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: Heaven is My throne... Acts 7:48-49a

For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. Isaiah 55:7b

THE STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE

The mansion in the photograph was our home for over 12 years. Situated in Ontario, Canada, it was built in the mid 1800's and has historical significance.

It is a three full story home, triple brick with a limestone foundation and 3 different colors of slate on the roof. The slate was shipped in from England, it is pink, blue grey and a darker grey in color, laid in a rose pattern. 

The peaks of the roof have wrought iron rails and there is some fancy woodwork to support the overhang and around the 6 dormer windows at the third story.

It boasts 15 rooms with 32 doors and 54 windows, which includes 6 bay-windows. A total of 3600 sq.ft of living space, plus a basement. 

The interior woodwork is mainly oak and ash, with wainscoting and rounded corners in the huge dining and living room. There were marble fireplaces to be found at one time, but were removed before we bought the estate.

The master bedroom, for example, is 27 ft by 18 ft and a narrower area of 13 ft. It has 2 bay windows, consisting of 8 large window panes and has a bathroom en-suite of 14 ft by 9 ft.

The halls have oak spiral banisters along the stairway all the way to the third story. We did find these halls an enormous waste of space. The ceilings are up to 9 1/2 ft high.

My husband and I raised our 4 children here and also providing lodging to 3 Vietnamese refugees, we had sponsored. Over the years several other disadvantaged individuals have lived with us in this home, for as long as 2 years. 

As the Lord directed, I applied therapeutics, on Christian principles, to improve the quality of life of them with social, mental, emotional and ethnical needs.

This home has been a shelter from the storm for many. We can only praise the Lord for His goodness to us, in that we have been and still are able to reach out and touch lives for His glory. 

Praises be to Him, our wonderful Lord and Savior, for great things He has done.

I hope you appreciate this condensed story behind the picture.

Writing and Poem Copyright © Dr. Trudy Veerman, 1996-2014. All rights reserved