Finding Shade

“I wish we could sit in the shade.” My daughter Megan’s sentiments were shared by each of us as the beaming afternoon sun made its presence known.

My family was visiting a local summer festival. A venue of culture, athletics, arts, and entertainment. The events are held outside and the stifling temperatures soared to the 90’s.

A musical band from the area would be performing in the high school football stadium. Having concert tickets, we made our way up the street to stand in line with hundreds of fans.

The sidewalk looped around a street curb and beside a grassy area populated with oak trees. Branches and foliage shaded the ground with an inviting look of coolness. Shade brings relief from the heat and shelter from direct sunlight. But we would need to leave the waiting area. Concerned the other fans wouldn’t be understanding—to allow us our shade and keep our place in line—we stayed put.

A slight chance of rain prompted festival-goers to grab their umbrellas. Even with no rain, umbrellas everywhere opened as a shadowy cover.

Entering the gate, we were thankful for forty-five minutes inside an air conditioned building for a “meet and greet” with the artists. It gave us time to rest from the heat. Back outside and seated in the bleachers, my husband used the concert program to shelter us from the afternoon sun. I discovered as long as I stayed on the inside of his shadow, I rested in the shade’s coolness.

My husband Mike is a pastor and a shade kind of guy. Picnics are planned around a shady spot. An avid motorcycle rider, camp sites are chosen based on ample shade. In parking lots, he is always on the look-out for shadiness, ensuring our vehicle is cool once we are ready to depart.

When the weather heats up in the summer, the direct beaming rays of the sun and activities can drain our energy. Seeking shelter and shaded rest can revitalize us.

Psalm 91:1 describes it this way, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (NIV)

We find rest from life’s tiresome activities under God’s shelter. The Almighty’s shadow is a cover for our weariness—a place of physical and spiritual rest.

I discovered as long as I stay on the inside of His shadow, I have ample shade and rest from life, bringing His strength and restoration.

“The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.” Psalm 121:5 (ESV)

In your search for shade in outdoor summer festivities, remember the Lord is our spiritual shade. He refreshes our spirits. He promises to shelter us from the scorching heat. A refreshment never far away.

We can dwell under the shelter of the Lord. We can sit down under His shadow where He makes His presence known. He wants to meet and greet us there. He is our rest.

Photos courtesy of www.unsplash.com & www.pixabay.com

Karen Friday

Whether the spoken or written word, Karen thrives in moving an audience to experience laughter, tears, surprise, and deep reflection. She not only possesses an affection for words (just ask her family), but she also cherishes God’s Word. Karen is an award-winning writer who has published both devotions and articles with a mission to know Jesus more and make Him known. She contributes to several national sites while she works on her first non-fiction book. In the blogging world, she is referred to as “Girl Friday” where she shares a central message: you are never far from hope. And she considers her life as a pastor’s wife and women’s ministry leader a sacred calling. Karen and her husband Mike reside in East Tennessee and have two grown children and two grandchildren. The entire family is fond of the expression, “TGIF: Thank God it’s Friday.” They owe Monday an apology. Connect with her blog community, Hope is Among Us.

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