Psalm 55: 6-7 —  “I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest– I would flee far away and stay in the desert” (NIV)

Psalm 32:7 — You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (NIV)

As soon as I finish my coffee, I think I’ll run away! Or build a cave of sofa cushions and hide from the world. There is so much going on, so much I want to do, and I am feeling overwhelmed and somewhat defeated. I recently saw a sign on a social media site that said “I have thought of running away more as an adult than I ever did as a child.” I totally identify with that statement because that’s where I am right now!! Mentally, my bags are packed and my get-outta-here shoes are laced. Things are getting more and more difficult to plan, and everyone knows I love a good plan! I have tried to do all that was expected of me. I have tried to accommodate everyone’s preferences. When things didn’t work, I have tired to fix it. I have tried all I know to do. Obviously, the only clear answer is to run away somewhere – I don’t know where — somewhere that isn’t here — and that will fix everything!! I have been told that people have a flight-or-fight response. I don’t like to fight so flight seems like the perfect plan! Lord, as I look in my Bible, I see that King David felt these same feelings. In Psalm 55: 6-7, he wants out! He doesn’t want get-outta-here shoes; he wants wings, and his GPS is already set for the “somewhere that isn’t here” destination. Lord, I know that running away is not a viable option. I don’t have a wood and stone hiding place to run to, but Lord, I have a hiding place in You. Psalm 32:7 tells me that not only are You my hiding place but that You will protect me and surround me with songs.   Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra said “He who sings scares away his woes.” Like David in Psalm 104:33, I will sing; I will sing praise to You as long as I live. Instead of running away I will run to You. Psalm 119:114 tells me that You are my shelter and my shield and that I should put my hope in Your word.  I guess it’s time to put the cushions back on the sofa!