My little sister skipped gaily into the house bursting with news of her exciting discovery. “Mama,” she exclaimed, “I’ve found a secret hiding place!”
It was one of those golden, early summer days, just perfect for making such discoveries. Hollyhocks bloomed in profusion along the house and halfway to the barnyard fence. The hummingbirds had found them and staked out their claim. The tardiness Robin had at last selected a building site and was busily constructing a nest in the old apple tree. Yes, it was a good day for discovery.
By some odd happenstance of nature there was one spot directly below our kitchen window where nothing grew. From the side or front it was not noticeable, but from mother’s vantage point a few feet above, she could see an almost perfect circle about 3 feet in diameter: a hiding place.
As the lazy days of summer drifted into autumn, Mother heard frequent reports, liberally sprinkled with all the superlatives a four-year-old could muster, about her most wonderful hiding place. But never once did she reveal its location.
That summer Mother, too, made a wonderful discovery: Each of us needs to find a secret hiding place known only to the eyes of God. When life is too much with us, when sorrow comes, or joy too deep for sharing, we need a place of retreat where we can be quiet and renew our spiritual forces. A few minutes alone in our spiritual “hiding place” can enable us to face the world again.