Mrs. Miracle's Pine trees...

I was reminded this week of the house where we grew up in upstate New York by my youngest brother.  For some reason, he wanted to Google earth the place, so he texted me for the address.  After sending it to him, it stirred me to do the same (look it up on Google Earth).  What a great tool for walking down memory lane!  The funny thing about Rose, New York is it doesn't change much.  Basically it is very much as I remember.

Our house is easy to spot because of several landmarks - the driveway leading to a house behind our woods; Mrs. Miracle's pine trees off to the side and the horse pen across the street.  Easily, I pinpointed the exact place and sent it to my brother.

Of course, the trees have grown some.....large enough for me to hide in today, I think.  You see, when I was younger, Mrs. Miracle's pine trees were a favorite hiding place.  She had the most lovely pine trees with long, soft needles, that actually formed a sort of tepee inside.  It was a safe haven to create, read or write.  She allowed all of the neighboring children access.   She only requested two things - 1) we must ask her first and 2) we must clean up.  No leaving our toys or items in the little house for next time.  I was a frequent visitor.

My usual past time in the pine house was creating.  I made many a surprise Christmas gift or drew a picture rarely shared with anyone.  I was rather timid about my drawing gift as a child.  Sometimes, I would read a recently acquired library book or play with Barbie dolls, but most often I was creating something amazing.  I remember making some sort of scrap book under the canopy of long pine needles but age has diminished my memory of the purpose of the book.

One of the many beautiful things about the pine tree home was no one could really see me in there.  I could carefully peek out, but for the most part people would walk or run by and have no idea I was inches away from them.  Undisturbed for what seemed like hours, I could find peace here.  While I love my family and would trade none of them, we were a large family and often noisy.  Here in my little pine hideaway, it was quiet.  I could think, daydream and dilly dally all I wanted.

Another great thing was this, if it began to rain a bit, I would stay dry.  A normal quiet rain would not interfere with my creative progress.  Awesome!  This was actually one of my very favorite qualities of the pine tepee.  It protected me from minor elements.  Now, a major rain would easily slip through the branches of my home here, but a medium or light rain was no problem for the tree.

Now, as an adult and as someone who has received Jesus as Lord and Savior, I've found a permanent peace in Him.  He is my pine tree hideaway offering shelter from the chaos and a place to create, think, daydream or simply enjoy His presence.  And....Jesus protects always - even when it doesn't seem like it in our earthly view.  Nothing is too big for Him - absolutely nothing!

I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  Psalm 61:4