Sitting on a chaise lounge wrapped in the fluffiest robe you can imagine, sipping on hot tea and gazing out the window at beautiful evergreen trees. Their spiny tips crammed full of clusters of pine cones. I drag in a deep shaky breath and let out a huge sigh.
Immediately my thoughts start to scold me. “How in the world are you capable of feeling stress at a time like this? You are in the lap of luxury! A sweet gift of time away in a beautiful place from a kind friend.”
I answer myself.”I don’t deserve this. It’s too good for me.”
Before my mind can form the next words I feel the Father’s loving words drip down on my mind. “But, I love you beloved. You are mine! My daughter, that I desire to shower with gifts, just a reminder that I am here and you are loved.”
Just a few weeks before I almost didn’t accept this sweet gift. The prospect of going away by myself to a quiet spot seemed more daunting than relief. I remember a time when my children were small, that I would have jumped at the chance for this kind of get away. But, life is different, not at all what I expected, and while my kids aren’t completely grown they are older and their presence brings comfort and their needs a distraction from the feelings and emptiness that flood my heart.
Still I felt the Spirit wooing me to come away with Him, to trust Him… I almost couldn’t beloved, for the enemy was quick to tell me that being alone wasn’t good for me. In fact the memories and pain would overwhelm me and undo me. Thankfully the Lord spoke louder to my heart.
” For I know the plans I have for you (daughter) to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.”
“I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.”
“I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.
Is it possible to fear the very thing that will bring life? An awakening of sorts from the pain that dulls your senses and makes you immune to the beauty of God’s grace around you and in you. Remember the garden? The enemy of our souls was quick to whisper in Adam and Eve’s ear that God did not have their best interests at heart. In fact it was the opposite and they would do well to listen to him instead.
Live as people of the light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. (Eph.5:9) When you choose to follow Jesus you become a person of the light. We must then live as people of the light,thinking on whatever is good and lovely and pure,receiving in ourselves all that the presence of His Spirit brings. For, our bodies are His very temple the place in which He dwells.
How often do you sit in pure silence, when your mind is free from distractions and you are free to dwell only on the Father’s goodness? When was the last time you said, ” Speak Lord your servant is listening? “This is not a scary thing dear ones. This is a sweet thing. A time when the Lord can remind you of all the ways He has been faithful and all the ways He will be. It can be a time of reflection, conviction, repentance, healing and moving towards the plans that God has for you. But, if we are not careful, the enemy of our soul will keep us from it. We will be too busy, too stressed, too worried, too distracted and too tired to hear His voice.
In Mark 6:31, Jesus says, ” Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
He invites us beloved. I’m so glad that fear and weariness didn’t keep me from Him this time and I want to go again.
The holidays are right around the corner and we might just blink into a new year. We make lists of who is coming, what to cook, what to buy. We clean and we scour, we freshen beds and fill the fridge. But, have we filled our heart? He beckons us to come away with Him to quiet place and rest awhile. Will you come?