Hi Rose Buddy! We are now on day nine and today’s topic is all too familiar for me. A place to hide has been sought after in a few ways in the short years I have been alive. As a child, hide and go seek was one of my favorite games to play. There was this permitted thrill of finding a good hiding spot while the seeker was given the dreadful responsibility of looking for everyone else. I use the word permitted because this was the one time that I can remember that hiding was permissible and enjoyable. There was an alluring invitation in the hiding that made me want to remain hidden longer. “Please do not find me,” I said to myself. I do not want the responsibility of the person who counts to ten and has to find everyone. Just let me find another place to hide. Not to feel safe, but to run from the unappealing position of the seeker. So, here is my take on a place to hide.

At a very young age, hiding was taught to be enjoyable. There was a giddy innocence in this illustrative game. Being found felt like punishment or something that was meant to be prolonged. Little did I know, I was slowly teaching myself to become the master of being found. Being found in my pain. Being found in depression. Being found in unworthiness. Being found in perplexity about my identity. No, don’t find me just yet, I like this hiding spot! Go and look for another!

Being found meant my time of hiding is up. Essentially, I am now being tagged to do the work. It’s my “turn” now. When you build a nest in your pain, it begins to resemble home. So when it is time to vacate that nest, it will feel like a viscous eviction. Funny, how the term home can be used so loosely. Comfort has taken a whole new meaning. What would normally be looked at to house freedom is cradling insecurity. Identity getting shoveled deeper and deeper into a staggering untruth. This is a place to hide.

Something is happening. The seeker is different this time. It’s not an insouciant game anymore. I can sense the urgency of being found. There’s a part of me that actually wants to meet this seeker. He isn’t aimlessly counting to ten. He is compassionately counting His sheep. Asking me where I am while knowing the state of which I reside. The question was for my understanding of where I was and not His. That was a good question. Where am I? How did I get here? Why did I stay this long? Because I made a nest in my pain and it started to resemble home.

He doesn’t just rescue me but redeems me. It’s a Work that no man can boast. My Father sought after me because He seeks after what’s His. With this understanding, I knew this is where I belong. What was once seen as a violent eviction is now a welcomed release! Gratitude hugs the back of my Seeker. Liberation touched the hand of the hidden. Now having proper guidance, I hide with better understanding. The hymns that David sang were background music to life’s darkest moments. Being hidden behind Your Wings is a coveted position now. No longer having to manage my own safety. Securely being knitted with You has been my favorite adornment.

What a treasure it is to be found as such and yet possess the greatest treasure of all at the same time. That the hiding now actually has a divine purpose. Hiding in this form, acts as a covering. What poetic irony, that my protection comes from hiding in my Father. Just as a child seeks safety in their natural parents, I find safety in You! As that old nest is put to rest, I build my foundation in You. When the storms of life rapidly increase, I don’t have to run out of fear to take shelter. You are my shelter! I can earnestly declare that this is a place to hide.

If you came from my Instagram page, then you know I am partnering for the rest of this month with Briana Kimble, founder of Officially HER! If you haven’t already, be sure to also read my fellow writer’s blog post on www.officiallyher.org/blog and stay tuned for tomorrow’s post!