Parasols

Thoughts Along the Way©

Elaine Mehn

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. Psalm 36:6-8

When we first moved to Japan, ladies always wore hats in the summer to keep the sun off their heads and especially off their faces. Over the last several years hats have been replaced with parasols. At first I thought, “Who would want to carry an ‘umbrella’ when they didn’t have to. Umbrellas are such a bother – having to keep your arm up holding it and having to avoid hitting people and things with it. Besides the bother factor, carrying a parasol is so pretentious.” Or so I thought. A year or so ago, on a very hot and sunny day, I was desperate enough to give one a try. I purchased one at a discount shop for a couple of hundred yen (translate a couple of dollars). I was amazed at the difference. I was still in the heat and humidity but I was now in the shade and the shade followed me where ever I went. I now have joyfully joined the ranks of the parasol carriers. I don’t mind having my arm up in order to stay in the shade all of the time and I don’t feel pretentious at all.

Over and over in Scripture shade and shadow are mentioned. The Israelites lived in a dry and thirsty land where water was scarce and of great value. The true value of shade is known when the sun is strong and there is no shade to take refuge under. Staying close to Christ is my spiritual parasol. In His shade I find the love and care that my dry and parched heart needs. God in His great mercy has provided the shade I need from the burning sun of loneliness, hardness of heart, self-centeredness, and disappointment. He allows the sun to beat down on me to help me realize how self-centered I am and then He brings me to repentance and rest under the shadow of His wing. I need the heat of Christ’s love to show me the coldness of my own heart. Without it I would think that I am doing just fine and I don’t need on going repentance.

Carrying a parasol in the hot summer sun provides the shade I need for my body. Living a life of repentance and faith is the means of running to the shade for my soul. I don’t live in a dry and thirsty land rather I AM a dry and thirsty land. I try to make circumstances meet my emotional and spiritual needs but only God’s Holy Spirit can provide the shade that refreshes my soul. When I dwell in the shade of the Spirit, I find joy, love, security, peace, and contentment. What a blessed place to spend life.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for all of the times I refuse to come to You for shade and refreshment. I must confess I have even pointed my finger at those who live in shadow and mentally accused them of being pretentious. How wrong I am! It is only by walking in the shade that You provide that I can know rest for my soul. I pray that You will give me faith to come in repentance to walk with You.