A Sheltered Town

Something interesting...

On 7-15-2017, Nicole, Andy and the four grandkids were here and we were in the backyard playing with our new kittens when we saw the neighbor's dog named Shelby.

We hadn't seen Shelby out for a long time and thought she was dead or just didn't live there anymore.

Then we began talking on these following facts which are truly interesting...

When we first moved into this house we had a dog and named it Shelby.  We only had her for around 6 months and gave her away because she was too rambunctious.

The next door neighbor to the left of us got a dog and named it Shelby.  They didn't know we had a dog of that same name years prior.

Then, years later the neighbor to the right of us got a dog and guess what?  Yep, they named it Shelby. They also knew nothing of our dog's name of previous years.

Our daughter Kimberly's best friend in grade school was named Shelby.

Nick's co-worker has a daughter named Shelby.

There are Shelby's all around us!

Now this is beyond strange.  So I felt the need to look up the meaning of the name Shelby and it means... willow farm, a place where willows grow, a sheltered town.  Then I found this on the internet...

Shelby - Origin English - meaning "sheltered town", a willow farm
The definition continues...

Is in awe of the supernatural
A clear thinker that always remains calm
Has strong family ties
Challenges all obstacles in her way
Always gets the job done
Her goodness knows no limit
One who holds the key to success
A woman of boundless energy

These qualities listed here for the name Shelby, would be awesome qualities for a "sheltered town" or "refuge".  (wink)

I then began investigating further...

I looked up the Willow tree and found places named The Willow Place.  They were places where people can go for healing of all sorts.  It's a place of comfort and rest for the weary and afflicted with all kinds of addictions and other physical and mental conditions.  They are places of hope.  A place of refuge.

Is all this a coincidence?

I don't think so.

And... one more tidbit.  The weariness sometimes gets to a person and it feels never ending.  We have been feeling this way and the other day my mother opened her "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young randomly and written there it spoke of our needing His strength and endurance.  Yes we do!

Oddly enough, on that same day I was wearing a t-shirt I have that has a logo on the front that reads "Strength".  I was at the grocery store and the cashier kept commenting about my t-shirt, where I got it and about the logo on the front.  I found it rather odd and frankly, annoying how she went on and on.  Finally I said "Yes, it says Strength".  And then she added... "Yes, and endurance."

Exactly what mom opened up too... speaking of strength and endurance.

I found all this to be interesting.

A coincidence?

I don't think so.

"It is He that giveth strength to the weary, and increaseth force and might
to them that are not."

Isaias 41:29

Praise God!