My Haven from the Storms

Posted on by

Thursday nights on Twitter with my FMF peeps is my HAVEN from the rest of the world. The FMF party is one of my favorite things in the world. This community of bloggers have become some of my dearest friends. You hold a piece of my heart and always will. We would love to have you join us for the five minute Friday free write. 

I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “haven.” 


The thunder boomed.
The rain went pitter patter.
I stood watching the rain fall.
Hitting my bare feet as I stood
On my front porch.

A holy moment
As I walked back inside
A reminder that
God is my haven
My refuge in the storm.

God is indeed our haven;
As God loves us
And always calls us
God’s beloved children.

Just a few weeks ago, I held an infant in my arms. We walked around the crowded room and it was like we were the only two in the room. I talked to her. She listened. She fixated her eyes on the ceiling and the lights. This precious little one is a gift. Whenever the world seems full of ugliness and pain, and an infant is placed in my arms, that little body is my haven; my reminder that everything is precious and ultimately belongs to God.

“Behold I make all things new!”

I remember a few years ago, at our annual church dinner, I asked my friend if I could hold her then infant son so she could eat. She graciously handed him over to me. This little precious baby boy and I walked over to the rocking chair and rocked. Within minutes, he fell asleep on me. I sat in that rocking chair holding my friend’s baby. Again a haven in the midst of a busy day.

Not only, do I find haven in infants in my arms, I find haven in one of my fave places in the whole wide world; Camp of the Cross. It is the place where I heard the call to ministry. As I sit on the shores of Lake Sakakawea, the cool breeze blowing against my face, the night sky lit up with twinkling stars above my head, I cannot help but find peace; a peace that passes all human understanding. This holy place is my haven from the storms of life. It is the place that refills my heart and soul. It is one of the places where I truly feel and know that God is our haven in the midst of a world that feels deep loss and grief.

42 thoughts on “My Haven from the Storms”

  1. Hey, I played early and I'm visiting early this week! You're my nearest FMF neighbor!; I parked in #9 this time. I esp love your idea of havens from all those different types of storms; being out in God's nature gives us both temporary and eternal perspective. Your poem is beautiful, too.

    Reply ↓

  2. hi tara:), i love your havens. there is something haveny about holding a baby isn't there…well, unless it is screaming inconsolably. i always loved that feeling of rocking them to sleep as they curled into my and fell off to sleep. such a sweet feeling. thanks for the memories.

    Reply ↓

  3. This is just beautiful, Tara, and it resonates with me…not because I've held many infants (exactly two, in my life) but because lost dogs and cats, and wild rabbits, and cows seem to find a haven in my presence. Well, horses, too, for that matter.

    And I find a haven in theirs, for in such innocence, I think, is Heaven reflected.

    #2 at FMF this week.

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/06/your-dying-spouse-163-saving-strawberry.html

    Reply ↓

  5. Oh yes, infants do give us such beautiful glimpses into the precious gifts of God. And the peace in beholding the night sky…yes…skies always draw me into His Presence, reminding me just how much He loves us through all the loss and heartache.

    So beautiful, Tara…Thank you for sharing.

    Reply ↓

  7. Love this! I use babies as a haven in crowded parties – when I just need a break, they are a good excuse to go to a quiet room or outside and just snuggle. 🙂 Equally, I Love handing my own infants off to others – a rest for both of us, I think.
    Annie (#31)
    annierim.wordpress.com

    Reply ↓

  8. I love your descriptions of the havens you find and how they point to God and remind us that ultimately he is our haven from every storm.

    Reply ↓

  11. You certainly have a mother's heart, dear one. I just know in my bones that the Lord will fulfill your longing. It will come in a fantastic way, a way that blows everyone's socks off. Until then, be the best auntie there is. The little ones in your life can always use another set of arms, another welcoming lap.

    Reply ↓

  16. Love this reminder that havens can be found in the innocence of children as much as in the knowledge of God. All of the future is bound up in their DNA, wrapping around our fingers. Thank you!

    Reply ↓

  19. Tara,
    oh what a lovely poem. And three havens in five minutes?! You are exceptional!
    🙂 Thunderstorms are so magnificent and powerful. Tornadoes, though, are not so wonderful.
    My newest infant joy is my first niece (though I will have to wait to hold her until August). I have 8 nephews.
    And lastly, night skies, and peace.
    Yes.
    Oh so much "yes" in this, Tara. Beautiful beautiful offering!
    Love,
    Tammy
    And yours reminds me of the hymn "How Great Thou Art."
    "I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed."

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.