You are my Hiding Place

"My God is my refuge and strength;

A very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

At around 1:00pm today, Bim and I were alerted  about a bushfire going on nearby.   I received a text warning in my phone about having to seek shelter and actively defend.  Bim had to leave for work but I stayed at home,  vigilant.  Then, I decided to  quickly  pick up the girls from school.  The wind was going fast the westerly direction towards the bush belt along the hills which covers our area.   I wasn’t scared then, not until two young policemen came knocking on my door advising me to evacuate the area within 10 minutes as the fire is now being fanned by easterly winds with gusts up to 50km an hour and spot fires are starting up to 200m ahead of the fire.   

THREAT: A Helitac water bomber fighting the fire near The Vines

I was in a panic.  I have never had this experience before.  I picked up 3 baskets of newly folded  laundered clothes and dropped them in the van.  I couldn’t think well but I was quick to pray.

I turned on all the retic (water sprinklers) around the house and left my home with the girls.  I met up with Jed, my second born at our local library; texted Bim who was at work and CJ who was at Uni.  I called up a Filipino neighbor who didn’t know anything about the fire as she was attending in her classes.  I texted my Perth family that if worst happens, we might be squatting in their homes for shelter.  Then, me and the kids prayed again for protection and guidance.  I told the kids that no matter what happens, God still  reigns sovereign. 

At around 4:30 today, I received a text message again, while on monitor with the local news on the radio, advising us that  the fire has been contained.  A bushfire emergency warning was downgraded to a "watch and act" alert for people in the surrounding suburbs including our own.  Thank God no one was hurt, no homes were consumed by the fire.

We are home now.  I am so grateful we are safe.  I only see these things on television.  But a few hours before really struck me with the harsh reality that my family could lose a home;  It could happen to me and my family!  It was a scary thought.  

Disasters like this are inevitable.  Right now, as I am writing this,  tropical Cyclone Rusty has intensified to a category four and is set to move south across the WA coast near Port Hedland.  Massive flooding from heavy rains is rising in the area  south of Brisbane, and probably more others around the globe:  political unrest, hunger strikes, war, or a burglary right in your neighborhood,  etc.

Can we really say, we are safe?  

Wherever you are, and just when you think you live at the safest place in the world, you can never ascertain your safety.  Only in God’s arms can we truly say, He is our hiding place.  Thank you Lord for YOU are our greatest protector, always!

"My dear Lord, thank you that I can ran to you. 
You are my refuge and strength.  

Thank you that You are my hiding place.  

You are my rock and fortress that shields me from all danger.  

Indeed, You, my God, the great Protector is our

 ever present help in trouble!  Amen."

The  bushfire seen from just a few kilometers 

down the road where new housing developments are being done.

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