Insight for the Day

“Do You Have Something in a Three Bedroom, Two-and-a-Half Bath?”

January 30, 2025 Robert Wolgemuth—Editor

Because you have made the Lord—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. ~Psalm 91:9–10

There ought to be a part of the traditional wedding ceremony that gives the bride and groom a chance to clear the air regarding vacation preferences. “And Blanche, do you promise to love Hiram, even though he only wants to sit around and read a novel on vacation?”

“And Hiram, do you promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to walk through a mall or, if necessary, a flea market with Blanche when you’re on vacation? And do you promise not to gripe, mumble, roll your eyes, or shuffle your feet when you’re doing it?”

For the first several years of our marriage, summer vacations were a definite stick- ing point. My late wife, Bobbie, and I would come home from a week off frustrated and angry. Because we hadn’t discussed expectations, we’d return to the real world without having done what we’d wanted to do—or feeling guilty because we had done what we wanted but knew the other person was frustrated and angry.

Anyway, it took several years before I admitted to Bobbie that sightseeing was not high on my “things-I-enjoy-doing-on-vacation” list. One such summer we were in Europe with my parents, castle-hopping. Granted, these structures were unbelievable—like Mad Ludwig’s bedroom with massive draperies stitched together by sixty-five thousand nuns out of lots of ermine (poor fellows) pelts. Still, my theory was that, once you’ve seen a castle, you’ve essentially seen all castles.

Standing in the courtyard of one palace and studying the intricate stonework, something dawned on me. These structures weren’t just fancy homes. They were fortresses, built to protect a king or nobleman’s family and a few hundred of his closest friends in a time of war. They were as important to these men as Fort Sumter was to General Lee. In dragging myself from tour bus to tour bus, I had completely overlooked the fact that these incredible buildings saved families during hostile times. The thick walls, towering turrets, and drawbridges were more than decoration. I started to get interested in castles, despite myself.

When we overlook the fact that we are living in a war zone, our appreciation for God’s loving protection diminishes in value. But when we pay attention to the hostile forces—external and internal, that would seek to take us and our families hostage— then our hearts should be filled with gratitude for His wings, His eyes, His hands, and His tireless angels standing guard.

This castle-hopping vacation left a mark on me. In retrospect, I’m glad we did some sightseeing on that one.

You and I each need a fortress. And when we love God and acknowledge His name (v. 14), He will protect us far better than any turret-surrounded European castle.