I was alone as I entered The Wolf Rive Refuge and I didn't know
what to expect when I entered the wooded area where my cabin, Dove, was to be
located, I unloaded my car and then decided walk down to the river. There were
big rocks all around at the water edge so I sat down on one. I opened my
journal and began to write "Lord now is a good time for you to talk to
me."
Looking out at the water I
continued to write.
I love you Lord.
How awesome is the beauty
of your creation.
How awesome is the river
that speaks your praises and peace.
How awesome is this view
that I should be entertained by it.
How awesome are your birds
that sing your praises.
How awesome that you love.
How awesome is it that you
heal.
How awesome is it that you
calm our bodies.
How awesome it is that you
speak through nature.
How awesome is this rock I
sit upon.
How awesome is your heart.
Oh my Lord!
How awesome you speak out
of love.
How awesome you act out of
love.
How awesome you shine and
your glory is upon the earth.
How awesome that you
spring life out of the dead earth.
How awesome you spring new
life.
Lord you say you lead us
by still waters. The waters are not still. The water is flowing. Flowing on a
journey. Oh Lord let me hear your message that I may not miss it. Let me be
warmed by your words. The whisper within.
I am moving you Elaine.
you don't always stay
still.
You have gone where I have
led you. You have been my friend.
I reflected...Life seemed
simple.
I went back to a memory
of the days when we took our kids camping. I picture us sitting by a campfire
singing songs with friends. All of us together with guitar music strumming we
would sing "Father I adore you. Lay my life before you. How I love you. We
sang the same song in rounds where groups started at different time. We
continued on starting next time with Jesus I adore you and then Spirit I adore
you.
There I sat broken-hearted
and confused I came to find peace but now I wanted to just write what I'm
thinking about what is going on in life.
After the list I stopped
and brought truth to this list. Phase of life stuff happens. I can't let this
get me down.
The sun set so I proceeded
to go back to my cabin. Just what you imagined in your mind for a cabin to
be...it was adorable. Beautifully decorated with simplicity, a fireplace, a quilted
perfect bed, chairs to sit that you could cuddle up and read a good book. On
the night stand there was a book called Equip
Your Mind with the Word of God. I asked myself, why would they put this book here? I know the staff here and they would
not endorse a book unless it was worthy. These scriptures stood out to me
as I paged through the book:
"Sanctify them by
truth, your word is truth (John 17:17 NIV).
"He will guide you in
all truth" (John 16:13-14 NIV).
"Set your mind on
things from above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2 NIV).
I was reminded I can't
rush phase of life stuff.
This place is a refuge,
protection from danger or trouble. Life has troubles. Where do we go when there
is trouble?
"Trust in him at all
times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge" (Psalm
62:8 NIV).
I can run back to my life
at home or go back to the river again to rest. I run away often and forget to rest.
Rest in a place that reminds me of Him.
I could not help myself
but go back to the list I started the day before.
How awesome is the Son of
God who gave His life for me.
How awesome nature follows
you.
How awesome the river
moves just the way you set it to go.
How awesome the warmth of
the sun feels on my face.
I prayed for those God
brought to my mind.
Retreat.
Find Rest.
Refuel. Renew. Safety.
Do I lock my burdens
up?
The Holy Spirit draws me
to Him. People have an inner sense of this drawing. We deny. We run. We get
distracted.
I feel as if I must
confess. Confess my distance and other things brought to my heart at that
moment...
I have to be able to come
here.
I have to find you Jesus.
The fact that the waters
are not still but moving. I want to just be able to walk with Jesus and have a
connection and flow, flow as the water flows. Let it happen...flow.
The Lord speaks...
You sit for a while.
You get up for a while.
You move around for a bit.
You listen for a bit.
You question.
I went willfully, openly
and I had no expectations.
When we go to a place of
refuge. We must not force it.
JUST LET IT FLOW. FLOW
LIKE THE RIVER.
THE RIVER IS NOT STILL FOR
A REASON.
AT TIMES WE JUST NEED TO
FLOW...FLOW WITH JESUS...
