Mar
9
2021
The Fort
Posted in Faith 2 Comments
We tried it a few weekends ago.
My oldest daughter thought it would be so much fun to build.
She remembered how much she and her brothers and sisters loved it when they were young.
She thought her little niece would enjoy it, too.
She pulled the leather ottoman into the center of the room.
She pulled a small chair to the center as well.
She went to the large basket in the back of the family room.
She pulled out a large blanket and draped it ever so carefully over both things.
Fort making was a big deal in our house when my children were young.
Back then, the blanket went over the back of the sofa and attached to a long country bench.
Moving the bench further away pulled the blanket tight.
Moving the bench further away gave the fort just the right height.
My children would climb in the makeshift fort.
They would bring their snacks in with them.
They would bring their favorite stuffed animals.
They would bring their favorite books.
The beauty of the makeshift fort was the fact that it was safe.
It was made of things they saw every day.
These everyday things were repurposed to make something they played in all afternoon.
The fact that they could see me made the fort desirable and fun.
Away but not away.
Alone but not alone.
Seen but not seen.
Private but not private.
The sofa used back when my children were young is gone.
The long country bench is in the finished part of our basement.
Nothing my daughter pulled to the center of the room seemed to be the right height.
My almost two-year-old granddaughter was a bit frightened because the fort was too dark.
My granddaughter was unsure about this small space.
Seeing her cousin inside the makeshift fort was not incentive enough for her to climb inside.
Seeing her aunt inside was not motivation enough to crawl under the blanket.
Even a flashlight, hung in such a way as to illuminate the space, was not enough.
Oh, to see things from a child’s perspective.
To understand that shadows are real and darkness is scary.
To realize that climbing into something small and enclosed is not easy when you’re a toddler.
To know that children love the light and no amount of coaxing will change that fact.
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.”
Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. (Psalm 91:1-6)
This world can feel much like the makeshift fort felt to my granddaughter.
There are shadowy places.
There are places that are dark with hidden corners.
Stepping into such a place is scary, since you don’t know what you will find there.
My oldest daughter used a flashlight to dispel the darkness.
My granddaughter was still unsure.
The shadows were too real.
Outside the fort, in the light, she felt so much safer.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
As believers in the Lord Jesus, we have something much better than a flashlight.
We have One who overcame the world.
We have One who is the Light.
We have One who Shepherds us and keeps us safe in the shelter of His wings.
We cannot walk around in the darkness for long without stumbling and falling.
We need a Light along the way.
We need Someone who casts out the shadows by His presence.
We need Someone who declares, I am. No fear. (John 6:20)
We need not be afraid of the darkness when the Lord is near.
We need not be afraid of the shadows when we are safe in His arms.
We need not be timid about walking into unknown places when He is with us.
Since He never leaves us or forsakes us, we need not be afraid.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16)
Love this, Gina! And I remember Elizabeth Elliott’s opening verses on her radio program were from Psalm 91:1-6, words of such comfort:) I am ever so thankful for the Light of the world, the same Light of my life- thank you Jesus! Also thankful for the bright sunshine (light!) and Spring like days He is gifting us with today and a few more to follow!
Amen, Carolyn!
The Light of the World, the Light to our path, The Morning Star.
Such wondrous illumination.
Gina