One of my favorite worship songs (of the 90's--yes, one of those keyboard praise songs) was Strong Tower. Some of the lyrics were, "The name of the Lord is, a Strong Tower. The righteous run into it and they are saved." I picture a big tall lighthouse sort of structure or shelter (images of the Dharma stations off of LOST are coming to mind--ha!) I imagine running and rushing into the shelter (much like they did on the show) and being safe and secure and in a place where healing can begin (or where Dr. Jack can fix me up!).
In our foster/adopt class last Monday we discussed all the trauma, heartbreak and hurts that the foster kids will have experienced when we welcome them into our homes. The presenter asked, "What is the most important thing you can do when these children enter your homes?" Many people answered, "Talk to them." She said, "What if they don't want to talk?". Others said, "Give them a hug." She said, "What if they push you away because touch triggers memories of abuse?." Others gave different answers and she came back to us explaining that the biggest need we can meet in their lives is simply to provide them a safe place. That's it....a safe place. Food. Shelter. Clothing. A bed. A routine. I'm reminded of the scene in The Blind Side when the mom gives Big Mike a bedroom of his very own. He runs his hand over the futon in his new room and says, "This is mine? Mom: Yes, sir. Michael: I never had one before. Mom: What—a room to yourself? Michael: A bed.
Many of these children haven't even slept in a bed on a regular basis. We were told a story of one family whose foster children cried and fussed every night when being put in their brand new cutsie Lightning McQueen beds. The parents couldn't understand until they found the children sneaking into their room and sleeping on the hardwood floors at the foot of their bed instead. They had never slept in a bed and they yearned to be in the safety of their new parents presence.
When I am asked, "What is your passion?", this passage from Isaiah always comes to mind (and now we're memorizing it in the Beth Moore Breaking Free study I'm doing this summer).
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:1-3
At the class we also did several exercizes where we had to share some of the traumas and hurts that we had personally experienced in childhood and beyond. It reminded me that even though most of us haven't personally been abandoned or abused (or maybe some of us have), God yearns to bind up our wounds and provide a safe place for us to heal as well.
God sent His Son to bind those tender wounds. Sometimes we try everything to heal ourselves except surrendering and asking for His help. Yet God yearns for us to run to His Strong Tower, into the place of safety of His Presence and allow Him to put the pieces of our hearts back together again.
God has done this numerous times in my life and now I am honored to help others in their process of healing whether it be in peer relationships or with my own children (and child to come).
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9
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