I had been looking forward to hiding away, resting and letting God unclutter my mind and untangle my heart. Every year, my family plans an escape where we can shut everything out for a week and enjoy each other’s company with no interruptions. We don’t make many plans other than enjoying the ocean, lounging in the pool or playing cards and board games. Although I spend a lot of time with my family, I also get the opportunity each day to spend time by myself. Sometimes I think and pray as I walk by myself along the beach. Other times I read, doodle or write as I sit alone in the sunshine. I always come home refreshed.
This year I was pretty worn down before we left home. I was so ready for a reset that I could hardly wait to reach our destination and sort things out with God. However, this year, rather than staying put at our rental house all week, we chose to venture out a few of those days for special activities. Don’t get me wrong, we saw and experienced some things that we had never seen before. We had a wonderful time together and made great memories. I just didn’t get enough time to rest.
I was thankful that there were a few evenings that I was able to sit alone at the end of the dock to watch the sun go down. I normally love to hear the ocean waves as they crash onto the shore, but there were no waves at our location this year. So, rather than listening to the roar of the ocean, I didn’t hear much more than the sound that occurred when a school of fish would suddenly shoot out of the water to escape a predator. The stillness of the water and absence of noise allowed me to experience a beautiful, yet unexpected, inner peace. These moments spent at the water’s edge reminded me of some words from the 23rd Psalm, “…He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul…”
Despite those stolen moments spent sitting at the dock, I didn’t get enough time to sort everything out while I was away. All too quickly, the time came for me to return home.
I’m thankful for the adventures my family had, but I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get as much time to rest and reflect as I had hoped for. I wasn’t coming home as refreshed as I normally do. I needed more time beside the still waters before returning to the busyness I had left behind, but it wasn’t a possibility.
At home, I am always doing something from the time I get up until the time I go to bed. Sure, I start my day reading His word and spending time in prayer, but then my day gets busy. If I do sit down, I find myself picking up my phone to text someone, to check my e-mail, to browse the internet or to scroll through social media. My mind is always occupied. I had to find a way to allow my mind more times of rest.
Since this revelation, I have been trying to find more opportunities throughout my day to simply sit still and observe God’s beautiful creation around me rather than finding something to do while I sit. I am listening for his voice while I sit in the quiet.
If I let myself get too busy, it’s easy to lose sight of the One who leads me. He knows where I need to go and when I need to stop along the way. If I lose sight of where He is taking me, I can miss those moments when He leads me beside still waters.
He is the Shepherd; I am his sheep. In Him I find everything I need. In Him I am content. He leads me beside still waters.