FLOW

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...