Hanna King’s home in South Africa became an orphanage, almost overnight. One evening, an abandoned baby boy was found in the bush and brought to the King home. The officers that found the baby questioned people around the area and were pointed to the local pastor’s home as a safe place. That night Hannah’s family: her mother, father and two siblings made the big decision to do whatever it took to make this sweet boy part of their family.
I can’t help but wonder, what made Hannah’s home a safe place? What exactly makes any place safe? For me, someone who has never had to worry about my physical safety, this is so hard for me to comprehend. Is it simply shelter from the elements? Is it a place where you are protected from predators? Is it a place where your belly is full? Why was her home chosen over the others in her area that could also meet those needs? I think what makes a place safe must come down to the people in it.
People in the bush knew the Kings would not only meet the physical needs of this baby; but that they would also protect and care for him. They knew this because of the way they carried themselves and loved people in their daily lives. I recognized that same love in Hannah after meeting her just one time! I feel safest when I am surrounded people who I know will love me unconditionally, so I can only assume that is true for others.
I want to be a safe place. I want our churches to be someone’s safe place. I pray that outsiders will see my community as a safe place to come and rest. When someone is in a hard place I want the people around them to say, I know exactly where to take you… And I want those people to end up at Grace Community Church. What do we, do I, need to do to make this a reality? I think we judge less and love more. We meet people in their hurt… they didn’t take that sweet baby to a home in the next town, they took him to a home in their community… lets be a safe place for those hurting in our communities.
