Have you ever made a fort with blankets or sheets over furniture? What about putting a “do not disturb” sign on your door to keep everyone out? Made rules about who could come to your tree or clubhouse? We like having our own space. A place that is ours, where we feel safe. God is saying this for the people of Israel. It’s been rough for them, so God declares that the people get their own space where they will be left alone, where they can rest.

The fort, the do not disturb sign, and the rules about the tree or clubhouse usually only worked when somebody else, like mom or dad, helped enforce it. Sometimes, we are the ones that get a safe place, and sometimes, we are the ones that make sure that somebody else has a safe place.

Ruth Perkins Lee