Finding Rest For My Soul

The sun is shining deceptively warm and bright today despite the fact that it snowed last night. My heart aches to pull on a pair of hiking shoes and head for my favorite trail. It's not an easy trail, it bumpy and uneven. It's up hills and down the other side and across adorable cover bridges in the middle of the woods. One stretch is even pretty narrow with a big cliff leading down to the lake below. But I love that trail.

I can't even really explain it, it's exhausting! But it relaxes me... Usually, it's just me and whoever was brave enough to come with Miss Can't-Let-The-Hard-Trail-Beat-You. You run into a few people but not many, it's just you and a bunch of trees. No expectations, no pressure (other than the dogs hating to stop they literally howl -I know they have horrible manners but I love them dearly), for the most part, we don't even talk. We just listen...

Do you ever reach a point where you just need to recharge? To stop the everyday rush, and retreat to your father's arms? This is my spot for this. My spot to meet with Him and listen. When I'm away from it it's like an overwhelming unquenchable thirst, I miss it like an old and dear friend. 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5 NIV

 With every step, the weight and stress from the week seem to disappear. No traffic noise, no social media, just you and the trees and the birds overhead and a random deer you surprise along the trail. I love how they will just stand there unafraid and look at you as if it's totally normal for you to be there.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. Psalm 19:1-4 NLT

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed by the beauty of His creation? You just want to sit and take it in and listen to Him whisper to your heart? Find that place, and escape there this week. Make time to meet with Him and be with Him. Talk to Him, I don't even necessarily mean praying for other people. Just talk to Him. Tell Him your struggles and fears, your hopes and dreams, your worries. 

Related Article: Rugged Places

Let Him whisper his peace to your heart. When you make time for Him in your everyday life others notice. When a big God gets inside a little person like you and me it shows. It pours through everything we do and makes us a lighthouse in someone else's storm. Tell Him when you are hurt, disappointed and angry. Tell Him what makes your heart ache so much you can't breathe. Tell Him your dreams, your hopes, your good moments throughout the day. He is a friend with a listening ear and strong arms to hold you on your worse day and your best. So find that place and find His peace. 

Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:2 NLT 

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