Made In The Shade


He/she has it "made in the shade."

This was an expression from the 1950s which means to be in an excellent or ideal situation. Well, duh! Makes sense to me when looking at this shady, scenic, rural setting. Surrounded by stately mature trees, this old barn has it made in the shade... although I suspect the hard-working farmer who owns this place sees very little shade as he tends to his fields except when heading for the barn (which is a whole 'nother idiom).

What surrounds you? The Psalmist and King, David, knew all too well what it meant to be surrounded by life-threatening dangers. He also understood what it meant to be surrounded by God's presence even in those times. He penned the following:

Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)

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

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. (Psalm 32:10)

It's possible you may be able to empathize somewhat with the hard-toiling, weary farmer or the King encompassed by those wishing to do him harm, but as a Christian you can trust that you are also continually surrounded by God's favor, protection, deliverance and unfailing love. I would say by those standards you too have it "made in the shade."

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