| Psalm 122:7 – “May there be peace within your walls and security within your palaces.” |
When I first went away to college, I lived in an apartment with three other girls I had never met before. It was a one-bedroom apartment with two sets of bunk beds and one bathroom. Suddenly I was living extremely close with total strangers, and it took quite some time for us to adjust to each other. After one particularly grueling day of tests and homework, I came back to our apartment completely exhausted. All I wanted was to turn on some quiet music and take a nap. What I found when I opened the door, however, was that two of my roommates had decided to throw a party – a very rowdy party with multiple illegal substances. The music was blaring, and our small apartment was packed with at least 20 people, most of whom did not go to our school. I went into the bedroom to change and put away my things, only to find someone already in my bed. I ended up going out to the parking lot and sleeping in the back seat of my car. So much for my peaceful nap!
God wants us to have safe and peaceful homes and to feel secure in our surroundings. I knew this was not the way I wanted to experience college. After a few phone calls and talks with my advisor, I was able to move into a different apartment with people who were more closely aligned with my values. Don’t be afraid to ask God for help with anything, especially if you feel your safety has been compromised.
Prayer: Dear God – thank you for keeping me safe that day, and the days that followed. Help me to trust you to provide the things I need, including peaceful places to live. Amen
– Betty Gossell
