I sat in a paddle boat with my friend as we let it float along. An adult coloring book on my lap. Then we help water plants along their farm and then pick pinecones. After awhile, we sit on her deck and paint our nails followed but a craft project; making prayer jars. The afternoon was finished by heading to a local lake where we sat and let the sun soak in. It was a day of pure relaxation.
Throughout this summer, I have been searching for these moments. These moments that remind us of the words that Jesus spoke “Be still and know that I am God!” Too often in life, we get caught up in the busyness of life; trying to care for ourselves and/or our families. And more often than we care to admit, we forget to take time to just be; to savor our time with those we love and soak in the solitude of God’s creation.
And then life comes at us HARD! We lose our job. A family member suddenly dies and leaves behind their family. An unexpected change and so much more. We find ourselves living in liminal space; that uncertain space between then, now, and what’s to come. It is in these moments that I find myself clinging to the promise of hope and peace that only Jesus can give. A peace that passes all human understanding.
This peace can be found in the most unexpected places. It can be found in the friends who show up and won’t take no for an answer. It can be found in sitting in a paddleboat floating in a slough. It can be found in the Kleenex bringers. It can be found in the silence and beauty of a new dawn rising or the sun setting. It can also be found in those who cheer you along as you hike up a mountain; trying to hike further than you have ever hiked. It is in the coolest double rainbow you’ve ever seen in your 38 years of life. It can be found just anywhere if we take the time to look for it.
This summer, I have found myself lifting my prayers to God like incense rising. But more than that, I have found more moments of hope, stillness and peace than I could have ever imagined. Moments that sustain me on the hard days and that are also stored away for the hard days yet to come. It is these moments that remind me continually of who and whose I am and that I’ll never be left alone.
And the truth is, my friends, you will never be left alone either. Find time to just be; to know that Jesus is truly human and truly divine. “Be still and know that I am God!” In the silence and stillness, in those moments of peace, know that God is there. God will never leave you or forsake you. And God is especially there when it feels your world is falling apart all around you. Look around and see the signs of God’s goodness; sunflowers, a summer day, the sun setting and rising, a double rainbow and so much more.
Linking up with Anita and Inspire Me Monday, Kelly and the RaRa linkup, Jennifer and Tell His Story, Holley and Coffee for Your Heart, and Kristin and Porch Stories.
Awww, what a beautiful picture you paint! I’m so glad that you’ve had a chance to receive–those of us in the giving professions often forget how to receive. God is preparing you for the next step–so drink everything in, ponder, pray, and wait for his next big thing for you to happen!
Thanks! And yes indeed!
This was just what I needed to read tonight so thank you!
You’re so welcome!
Tara, this is so beautiful! You have inspired me, dear sister! Blessings to you!
Thank You! Blessings to you too!
Beautiful! So glad you are finding some peace in these moments of uncertainty.
Thanks! Me too!
This was like cool water to my soul tonight. Thank you for reminding me to be still. Summer lends itself well to this.
You’re welcome! Yes summer does.
Tara, Thank you for the beautiful reminder of unexpected moments God brings us when we still.Lovely post! Blessings to you today!
You’re welcome! Blessings to you too!
Dear Tara, thank you for reminding us that the Lord has plenty to say to us when we let ourselves be quiet.
You’re welcome!
Glad I am reading this NOW. Saturday the 22nd!
🙂
This reminds me of something I read from Spurgeon years ago, something about when everything seems shaken, we rejoice in the things that cannot be shaken, like the truth that God is with us, guiding us, undergirding us. Sometimes in those situations, we rest on Him the more and find Him all sufficient.
Ooh I like that!