Welcome back! I know I’ve been away for quite awhile lately. But I hope to get back on the blogging track soon. I’ve missed it! I’ve got so many stories to tell now; I’ve just got find the time to sit down and write!

“But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open” (Matthew 6:6 Amplified).
New grandson. My daughter Tara just gave birth to her fifth child. And I’ve spent a few days at her home recently, helping with the kiddos and the housework. Yesterday, we cleaned out her downstairs closet. It just happened to be one of her top priorities—don’t ask me why. It may be because eight of us had to cram into her downstairs bathroom during a tornado alert the other night. So, Tara wanted to make the closet another safe place for her crew during storms. Anyway, we emptied the closet of everything, except winter coats, hats, and gloves. And she plans to hang some hooks for backpacks soon.

Today, I did a little housecleaning in my own home. After I mentioned my housework to Tara, she said, “When I feel bad about my house, I just step into my hall closet, and I feel happy!”

Old prayer closets. Tara's comment reminded me of the many hours I’d spent in closets in my lifetime. Not only have they made fairly safe storm shelters, but I’ve found myself on my knees in my prayer closets, crying out to the Lord during the many storms in my life. And I’m not just talking about the weather.

When I was young, my special place to escape was the mimosa tree in our back yard. Then, as a teenager, my bedroom was my refuge from everyone. Then, after I got married, there were times when the bathroom was the only place I could lock the world out.

My son Adam jokes about me locking myself in my bedroom closet and crying during some pretty rough times during my children's teen years.  We can laugh about those moments now, but they weren’t so funny back then.  At least I don’t have to hide in the closet anymore, since my nest is fairly empty these days (until the grandchildren come over).

On-going need. I’m grateful for Tara’s reminder about the closets in my life—those special places where I cried out to the Lord, when life was more than I could handle. I’m also glad I could help Tara clear out some space for her own storm closet. I’m sure she’ll need a safe place to hide many days with five children. In fact, we may need to install a lock on that door. What do you think?

Do you have a special place you run to when life overwhelms you? A closet? A place away from your home?

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (Matthew 6:6, The Message).