WHERE IS YOUR HAVEN
Instead of going straight to my computer after breakfast this morning I headed outside to sit on the porch while the temperature was still fairly cool. I wanted to spend some time thinking about the Five Minute Friday word, haven, but I wasn’t quite ready to write for it. (After I went back inside I realized that the porch is often a haven for me.)
I began by tuning in to my surroundings. The sun was so bright it made me squint even though the porch was shady. A variety of birds were chattering and singing while a nearby crow added his shrill, “Caw! Caw!” I looked down through the lattice half-wall of the porch at the blueberry bushes heavy with fruit. It won’t be long before we are harvesting plump, delicious blueberries.
Grabbing my phone/camera I walked down the steps to get a closer look at the water droplets clinging to the blueberry leaves, sparkling in the sun. I noticed how strong the tomato plants looked even though they are still small. Then I helped myself to a beautiful ripe, red, sweet strawberry. “Yum, Yum!”
By then I was ready to free write for five minutes on the word haven.
A haven is a place of safety, a refuge.
Where Can We Find a Haven?
Often I find my refuge in God as I pray or read the scriptures. These verses at the beginning of Psalm 91 come to mind.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Music is another type of haven for me. I can listen to words that say what I want to say or need to hear, while the music itself can stir or quiet my soul.
A haven can also be a place where you meet a friend who will sit with you and listen, offering empathy.
A haven can also be a place where you meet a friend who will sit with you and listen, offering empathy. Sometimes just being there without saying a word is all that may be needed.
I like to think of my home, even with all its imperfections, as a haven not only for us, but for our friends and acquaintances. We have a lot to offer by giving of ourselves and providing good food and shelter.
If we welcome people, put them at ease and help them feel safe, then we have provided a haven.
What about you? Where and how do you find or provide a haven?
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #FaithFilledFriday, #LetUsGrow, #LMMLinkup, #GiveMeGrace, #MondayofManyBlessings
We have some similarities in our proclaimed haven. Birds, sun, and beauty. I am glad to have met you this morning.
Yes, many similarities! Glad to meet you, too, Gabriele. Blessings to you today!
just hearing the birds and the sounds of nature is haven for me!
Oh, yes, Mandy! Me, too. Blessings to you!
I find haven in so many of those same places too. Your patio seems like a beautiful place. I’m in the 8 spot this week.
Many of us find a haven in nature because after all, it is God’s creation that is beautiful! Blessings to you!
Your surroundings definitely look haven-like. The pictures didn’t load but I’m going to try again!
Sorry they didn’t load. Hope they worked when you retried. I do love the view we have even though there is a road down below. Blessings to you, Susan!
Ah yes… I love the idea and truth of how we can offer a haven to others! Great post, Gayl!
Thanks so much, Karrilee! Blessings to you!
I was looking at one of your outdoor pictures just the other night and said to hubby, “I need to go there!” Your place is a haven indeed. I escape to my screened porch or my deck. Early in the morning is best. I also relax out on the water.
We’d love to have you visit sometime. I think we are about an hour away from you. I love the pictures you share from your porch! Your house looks delightful. We’ll definitely have to get together! Blessings to you!
Sweet, Gayl, I often think of you while I’m sitting on my porch . . . wondering if you’re sitting on yours enjoying God’s nature, too. Our home is definitely a haven. Both my husband and I strive to keep it peaceful and welcoming. Lovely thoughts in your post today, my friend. Blessings on your weekend!
Thank you so much for your kind words, June. Your photos always bless me, too. I can tell your home must be a calm and peaceful place from your words and your photos. God bless you, dear June! xo
A place of peace and safety…finding it in the Lord is my first place. I also find it in the arms of my husband or in his company. I once found it in my mother’s arms but she is with the Lord now (so I know she is in the sweet by and by…a real haven. I would say that spending time in the Word of God is the best though.
Thanks for a thoughtful post and one which I shall be pondering a bit more.
Yes, I also find peace and safety in the Lord above all. Yes, both our mothers are enjoying the best haven of all, with their Savior! Oh, I definitely agree about spending time in God’s Word. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Linda. I really appreciate it. Blessings to you, friend, and have a wonderful week ahead!
Your pictures describe so loudly how serene your environ is! Such beautiful haven Gayle
Thanks Ifeoma! Glad you stopped by today. 🙂 Blessings to you!
I love how your porch outdoors is your haven. Hearing and seeing God’s created always relaxes me and reminds me He is in control of all. I’d like my home to become a haven again. I’m praying I can move past the fear and declutter so I can be at peace in our space. To me peace defines a haven. Blessings, Gayl!
Thanks for stopping by, Carrie. I totally agree about being out in creation. 🙂 Oh, Carrie, I have so much decluttering to do. My home needs so much work, and it is hard to push past the fear sometimes and actually have people over in the midst of the mess. But I’ve found that if I can make one area look nice and serve good food and hospitality, the surrounding mess doesn’t seem to matter that much.
I’m not saying I like the mess, but I’m learning to push through. Oh, yes, peace describes a haven perfectly! Blessings to you, dear Carrie! xo
I made it over! I love how I felt like I was right there with you on your porch and in your yard. It sounds nice and relaxing. I am trying to imagine my haven. I have always wanted to live by some water because I like the sound of the water whether it is a rushing down waterfall or roaring of the waves at the ocean. When we bought our house, there is a creek like bed in our backyard but it only rushes after a heavy rain or is completely dry in our hot and humid summers. But when there is water it is just calming and relaxing to watch and listen to. That could be my haven. Visiting from #10
I’m so glad you felt like you were here with me. 🙂 I also love the sound of water rushing including waterfalls, the ocean and even streams. Across the street from us there is a stream and occasionally we can hear it esp. after a rain. Once we camped right beside a lake and it was so peaceful sitting outside the camper just observing the water and other surroundings. Thanks so much for visiting today! Blessings to you!
Gayle – My outdoor space is my haven too! I just love that you have a place of refuge and safety on your front porch, with lots of reminders of Gods provision, and miracles everywhere. Blessings to you – Your neighbor today at #GiveMeGrace
The outdoors is really inspiring to see all the creation. Glad you enjoy it, too! Blessings to you, Debbie! 🙂
Gayl you really spoke to me in this post because I didn’t think about that when I wrote about haven. I love to go outside and the things you shared like that berry and the words are beautiful. Love it. I hope to start going out and sitting in the mornings with my coffee and computer now that the rain and floods are over here in Texas.
Thank you, Debbie! I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures and the words. 🙂 I need to make it an every day practice to go outside. I sometimes get to busy and then regret not taking the time to sit out there. Maybe tomorrow I’ll take my coffee out there and just enjoy it. Thanks for the suggestion! Blessings to you and have a great week!
I think of my home as a ‘retreat’ kind of haven mostly for me and my husband–but we do want others to think of it as a haven as well (it just takes a while for me to get my introverted mind ready to share my haven 😉 ). For me, true haven is found out in nature where the trees whisper and birds sing and flowers perfume and God draws near.
Anita, I think many of us find a haven out in nature where God’s handiwork is so clear. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! Blessings to you!
As you said, many imperfections, but home is home, and it is my haven. Thanks for your reflections on the word as well. I love Psalm 91.
Thanks for stopping by, Michele, with you encouragement! Blessings to you!