I rose to greet the dawn that was already welcoming me, as its first lights were dispelling the shadows of night through the kitchen window. The river was already reflecting the light of dawn that the sun was sending out in advance of its march over the button hills. The clouds softened the sun’s rays and the river thanked them with a graceful reflection of those early morning streams. These same grey morning clouds blocked out the grandeur of the sun with a haze that made my glance up to it gentle on the eyes.
As I stepped outside with my coffee, Blue Jays and Cardinals flitted and flickered along the same paths back and forth to the trees at the edge of the wood. They were already awake to greet me. As I sat down, I heard a woodpecker in the distance. The wind chimes below were tolling as they gently swayed in the early morning breeze. As I soaked in the serenity, I felt that same breeze kiss my face and I breathed in the fresh, mountain air deeply. It was cool, but not cold as my eyes adjusted to the temperature; my lungs filled with the refreshing air sweeping through this valley. Straight out to the horizon, my eyes fixed on the pink and blue hues of the early morning.
Even here, in a place I had never been before, the thought came to me that He had always been here. His mercies found me. A quiet Grace whispered to me that this silence was a gift and how well I knew that. Away from the bustle and quicker pace of our town, this solitude was refreshing to the soul. The birds singing, and fluttering announced their joy in this place and my heart warmed to the melodies as they played. Although I could hear other sounds— the ca-caw of crows, a jet overhead, traveling to somewhere that I had no desire to be in this moment. A boat out on the water and the traffic from a highway some hills over. The sounds of dogs barking along this river valley. But all of this was of no consequence to me as I kept sipping this warm, fresh coffee and listening to the birds singing praise to their Creator.
The breeze kept right on blowing, and in those moments, while drinking in with deep breaths the crisp, clean air, I could feel my weakened heart being renewed. The day had not yet decided whether to become completely overcast or to just continue showing its lighter shades. The birds in conversation, my love still asleep, this moment was created just for me. I had come here to reflect, be still and know and this was being accomplished. But rather than being another thing to check off on a list, I had resolved to be present in these fleeting moments. To be attentive to my wife, who sometimes takes a backseat to my writing. To listen, to hear, all that God might speak to me. To assess the past year and be thankful for life. To win her heart, even as she shared it. To talk of dreams and goals and look forward in anticipation to what lies ahead.
A lone hawk, soars high above and reminds me that such seclusion and peacefulness is worthy to be sought out. To come away and withdraw from the press and pull of ordinary life. To slow down and take some time out to evaluate the worth of all my activities. To pursue those that will make an impact into eternity. But also, to take time to be silly, to laugh, to cut up and to Live. (The length of our days is shorter than we imagine them to be and I have spent many of mine in less than worthwhile pursuits.) To come here, to be quiet, to listen for His heart even as He hears the cries of mine, is to be obedient to Him, to come aside as He beckons. To come and rest from the weariness of life. To come again and drink Living Water that restores and refreshes the soul. To Listen, to Be Still, to Recognize, to Know.
As I stepped outside with my coffee, Blue Jays and Cardinals flitted and flickered along the same paths back and forth to the trees at the edge of the wood. They were already awake to greet me. As I sat down, I heard a woodpecker in the distance. The wind chimes below were tolling as they gently swayed in the early morning breeze. As I soaked in the serenity, I felt that same breeze kiss my face and I breathed in the fresh, mountain air deeply. It was cool, but not cold as my eyes adjusted to the temperature; my lungs filled with the refreshing air sweeping through this valley. Straight out to the horizon, my eyes fixed on the pink and blue hues of the early morning.
Even here, in a place I had never been before, the thought came to me that He had always been here. His mercies found me. A quiet Grace whispered to me that this silence was a gift and how well I knew that. Away from the bustle and quicker pace of our town, this solitude was refreshing to the soul. The birds singing, and fluttering announced their joy in this place and my heart warmed to the melodies as they played. Although I could hear other sounds— the ca-caw of crows, a jet overhead, traveling to somewhere that I had no desire to be in this moment. A boat out on the water and the traffic from a highway some hills over. The sounds of dogs barking along this river valley. But all of this was of no consequence to me as I kept sipping this warm, fresh coffee and listening to the birds singing praise to their Creator.
The breeze kept right on blowing, and in those moments, while drinking in with deep breaths the crisp, clean air, I could feel my weakened heart being renewed. The day had not yet decided whether to become completely overcast or to just continue showing its lighter shades. The birds in conversation, my love still asleep, this moment was created just for me. I had come here to reflect, be still and know and this was being accomplished. But rather than being another thing to check off on a list, I had resolved to be present in these fleeting moments. To be attentive to my wife, who sometimes takes a backseat to my writing. To listen, to hear, all that God might speak to me. To assess the past year and be thankful for life. To win her heart, even as she shared it. To talk of dreams and goals and look forward in anticipation to what lies ahead.
A lone hawk, soars high above and reminds me that such seclusion and peacefulness is worthy to be sought out. To come away and withdraw from the press and pull of ordinary life. To slow down and take some time out to evaluate the worth of all my activities. To pursue those that will make an impact into eternity. But also, to take time to be silly, to laugh, to cut up and to Live. (The length of our days is shorter than we imagine them to be and I have spent many of mine in less than worthwhile pursuits.) To come here, to be quiet, to listen for His heart even as He hears the cries of mine, is to be obedient to Him, to come aside as He beckons. To come and rest from the weariness of life. To come again and drink Living Water that restores and refreshes the soul. To Listen, to Be Still, to Recognize, to Know.
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