How is your “home base”?

There is a principle in psychology called “home base.” Home base should be a safe place where we can draw love, peace, and healthy self-esteem. Life can be a scary place right now, so we all need to take a close look at the place that can give us the courage to keep going. How’s your home base?

King David was an amazing man. He was a writer, shepherd, musician, warrior, and king. Where did he get his inspiration? How did he find the courage to defeat Goliath or lead an army? Psalm 23 reveals the secret of his home base: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” (Psalms 23:1-2, NKJV) David had a place in his spirit where he could draw strength. Where did he get that faith, and how can you build the same type of relationship with God?

friend, did I tell you about the crazy day that I had with one of my daughters and her incredible family? Well, the food was great and the discussion around the kitchen table heartwarming, but the descent into the basement proved to be the best part. I walked down the stairs, hoping for a brief moment with my grandkids and their cousins. I didn’t want to interfere with their video games or soccer matches in the backyard, but I wanted to show them that I care. I didn’t expect the adventure that I was invited into: “Hey, Papa, do you want to play hide-and-seek in the dark?”

What would you do in that moment? Politely decline because you’re too old, too tired, too jaded, too busy, or too afraid to be a child again? Jesus said, “‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:3, NIV) 

Healthy relationships start with you. Do you have a home base with God where you can hide when the dark, scary world overwhelms you? David said, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4, NIV)  

I’ll tell you a little more about my hide-and-seek adventure tomorrow, but I want to remind you that all adventures start with you. May you be more courageous, adventurous, and childlike in 2022. Because miracles are launched from “home base.”