A Calm and Quiet Soul

But I have calmed and quieted myself,  I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. (Psalm 131: 2)

Who doesn't desire to feel calm, quiet, and content? The above verse of scripture creates a beautiful image of one who is peaceful and content. An infant becomes distressed and restless when hungry, and is instantly quieted when placed to the breast for nourishment. Once a baby is weaned, he trusts that his mother will continue to feed him as she always has. He is content just to be near her without desiring the breast for sustenance. 

As we journey through life, many things will bring distress and restlessness to our souls--bad news from the test results at the doctors, a spouse who walks away unexpectedly, a rebellious child, chronic illness, job loss, or financial problems. In each of these situations, we can be like a weaned child--contented, trusting, assured that all will be well. 

Our Heavenly Father is right there by our side when we are faced with circumstances that shake our souls and fill us with fear and trembling. He will provide our needs. With childlike faith, we can rest in the One who never leaves our side.

No Excuse

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.  Romans 1: 20 (NLT)

Each time I look out over the mountains, I'm reminded of the God who created all things. It brings to mind Romans 1: 20. How can one not believe in God when they look at creation? Scripture says we have no excuse for not knowing God. From the majestic mountains to the vast oceans, we clearly see Him in the things He has made. Life itself is a miracle, and the complexity of the human body and how it works certainly did not happen by accident. All creation shouts the existence of a Divine Creator.

Autumn has arrived in all it's glory here in the mountains. What a treat it is! Each day when I look outside, the woods are bursting with marvelous colors. The orange, red, and yellow-hued leaves brighten even the dreariest rainy day.  The drive down the mountainside is breathtaking. Again, it serves as a reminder of the God of the universe. It just makes sense. All the theories that science has come up with to explain creation just don't make sense. Life is too intricate and fascinating to be accidental. It's mind boggling to think about how a baby forms into a beautiful human life practically from nothing. Again, we clearly see God at work. He is visible in the wildlife, plants, and flowers. We see His workmanship in the sun, moon, and stars. The skies proclaim His glory. 

As the beauty of the autumn season unfolds, I pray you will pause from the busyness of daily life and all the distractions it brings, and reflect on the marvelous creation outside your window. Take some time to be still and remember God, the Divine Creator, who made all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small.

The Flowers of the Field

   “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." (Matthew 6: 28-29)

Remaining in the Vine

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15: 5)

I decided the housework and other things could wait this morning, and I savored a time of prayer, Bible reading, and Bible study here at home by the pond, my favorite place in the world to be.  A delicate breeze was blowing the sweet smell of honeysuckle through the air. As always, I was in awe of the beauty of the mountains, the warmth of the sunshine, the birds singing, and the sound of the creek trickling behind me. It never gets old, no matter how many times I experience it and I never get enough of it. It's about as close to heaven one can get here on earth.

It was a lovely time of quiet reflection on what matters most in my life. I cherish times of peace and serenity, because they are so few and far between. When I make time to be still, it keeps me focused and gives me the strength to keep going. 

God gives us what we need most exactly when we need it. It was no accident that my First Place 4 Health Bible study lesson today contained the following quote: 

"The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, or there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus." ~J. Hudson Taylor. 

Such a profound truth in a simple quote! I hope I never forget it. I often find myself worrying, working, rushing around trying to fix situations, trying to find answers to life's problems, and stressing myself out. It's usually during the times when I'm worrying and hurrying that I neglect my Bible reading and prayer time the most.

I need to remain in the vine, connected to Christ, who will provide all the nourishment I need to bear fruit in His perfect timing. I'm so thankful he is the Vine. Being a branch, I can abide peacefully in Him and wait; knowing and trusting that He will supply every need in every circumstance.

Flowers Appear on the Earth

"Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in the land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the  blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me." (Song of Songs 2: 10-13)

The new leaves are forming on the trees and the flowers are blooming in abundance here in the mountain. Beauty, joy, and life seem to be bursting forth everywhere I look. On Easter morning I was greeted by the arrival of six new goslings by the pond. Life feels new and fresh again after the long cold Winter season.

The verses above from Song of Songs are some of my favorite passages of scripture. Life is hard and often filled with stress, pain, and suffering. My heart waits in expectation when I sense my Heavenly Father calling me to come away with him for a time of much-needed refreshment and renewal. I'm filled with delight as I step away from the busyness of daily life to marvel at the beautiful things He has created. As I breathe in the fragrance of the flowers, I feel the stress melt away. I sense His presence so clearly when I take time to be still before Him and bask in the wonder of His creation.

Our Heavenly Father desires us to seek Him and to love Him. He is there waiting. All we have to do is pray. We can talk to Him like we would a friend and simply tell him our struggles and our burdens. He will forgive our sins. We just need to ask Him for forgiveness. 

If we accept His invitation, He will infuse our exhausted and weary souls with tranquility, peace, and joy. He desires an intimate relationship with each of us, but we have to respond to His call to "come away" from the crazy pace of life and spend time with Him. 

Is He calling you today to "come away" and leave your worries behind? How will you respond?

My Help

I will lift my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2

It's been a rough couple of weeks. I was hit hard by a nasty flu bug and was down for about 2 weeks. Winter has been long and I've often felt isolated and alone here in the mountains. It doesn't take long for discouragement to set in when you are sick and spending a lot of time by yourself.  

I was listening to music one night while I was laying in bed unable to sleep and Bebo Norman's song, I Will Lift my Eyes, came on. I love that song!  It was just what I needed. It reminded  me that my help is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. I thought about how each time I look out my window I see hills and more hills. From that night on when depression loomed over me while I was sick, I would look out the window and look to the hills. I felt encouraged as I remembered where my help came from. 

I love living in the mountains. What a blessing to have a visual reminder each time I look outside and see the hills that God is my help. Life is hard and it's so easy to grow discouraged, but often just a simple verse of scripture is all we need to get our minds focused on God, the source of all our comfort and help.