Refreshment and Restoration

The sound of a steady, gentle rain is something that I have always found comforting.
Right now I sit by the window to listen.
Rain is refreshing and restorative.

Our lawn was looking quite dry and my flowers and veggies have been very thirsty.
For the first time in my adult life I am not relying upon well water, which has eliminated quite a few concerns. Wells run dry and have even collapsed on occasion. My husband and I have experienced both. Thus I was glad to know our new home didn’t include one!

As a child we had municipal water and I, honestly, never gave it a thought. If there ever was a risk of a shortage I was unaware of it.  Typical child.
So the recent email from our water company took me by surprise.  It requested that all their customers stop any non-essential water use.
But watering my flowers is essential for me!
They haven’t been in the ground very long and they need to get established.
So this rain is most welcome!

Scripture speaks of the trees clapping their hands. I’m sure they are also singing!
It’d be lovely to be able to hear all of nature in song!

Just like the rain I find time sitting with Papa refreshing and restorative.
A quote by Oswald Chambers got me thinking about this.

“Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God”

The Vault of Heaven is filled with His Grace and just like any vault it needs to be drawn upon.

Grace.
His unmerited favor.
Totally independent from any need to be earned.
Completely dependent upon the Love of God.

The Love of God.
Unconditional and eternal.

There are times that just like my flowers I am very thirsty.
Thirsty for refreshment from my God.

The Psalmist poetically expresses this in Psalm 42, verse 1:

“ As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God.”

In the Fourth chapter of the Gospel of John Jesus speaks of the difference between the satisfaction we receive from the physical and spiritual water.

“ Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again, but whoever drinks the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.“

The Amplified version describes the water He gives as a spring that wells up, flowing and bubbling.

So why do I get thirsty for more? Doesn’t that contradict the Words of Christ?
I imagine it is like the trees and plants. After they are established they have deeper roots that tap into underground springs and can survive a dry spell. Yet they still seek the refreshment of rain.
That is how it is for me.

In Psalm 23 we have the picture of a relationship. One that refreshes.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:2-3‬ ‭NASB‬‬

It is my habit of drinking water all day, every day.
If, for some reason, I go any period of time apart from my water bottle I become parched.
Water is essential.
So is our connection with the Provider of the spiritual water!

There is one book of the Bible that is found in the Old Testament filled with love letters between two lovers. It symbolizes the relationship we are to enjoy with the Living God.

“You are a garden spring, A well of fresh water, And streams flowing from Lebanon.”
“ Awake, O north wind, And come, wind of the south; Make my garden breathe out fragrance, Let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden And eat its choice fruits!””
‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭4:15-16‬ ‭NASB‬‬

He is the garden spring, the well of fresh water, the stream!
He will never run dry, nor collapse!

As we drink Him in we find refreshment and restoration.
Then we experience the joy of blossomIng and becomIng bearers of fruit.
Yes, Joy!
Not simply happiness.

Happiness is dependent upon circumstances. Joy is not.
Joy comes from drinking deeply.

Joy that shows up in all those blossoms!
This is our gift to Him.
A gift that springs from Him.
A gift that pleases Him.

Feelings

“Feelings...nothing more than feelings.”

That’s the opening line to a song entitled “Feelings” that came out in 1974. 

Yes, I remember 1974. 

The song vaguely speaks of feelings of love, which the singer is trying to forget. 

Whatever the song was trying to say it’s that opening line that came to me the other day. 

I was thinking about feelings, of course!

For many years I thought feelings were nothing more than feelings...but no matter what they were either good or bad. No such thing as being neutral. 

Now I know they are all neutral. 

It is what we do with them that leaves the neutral zone. 

In my family of origin I had been taught that feelings should not be examined, but should be denied. At all costs!

I now know that they are indicators. 

Indicators of what is going on under the surface. 

Some are easy to figure out and take no deep exploration. 

There’s the example of how very much I love my precious, almost elevens month old, grandson, Samuel. 

I truly am in love!

I cannot get enough of him. 

His every action leaves his grandma amazed and enthralled!

Look under the surface and you will find more love. Love to the very core of my being. Pure love. Unconditional love. 

Not all feelings are so uncomplicated. 

Often they reveal things we thought had been put to rest. 

The reality is often there are scars that will never truly disappear. 

Now what got me to thinking about feelings?

Well...feelings had. 

Feelings that arose this past week. 

It was Monday and I was driving back home after a number of hours of doing errands. 

Papa and I were enjoying one another. 

There was some worship music playing that stirred my heart to even greater focus on Him. 

The Joy was truly immeasurable!

As my car rounded a bend in the road I spotted a motorcycle parked on the roadside. 

It was the same type as the one my husband was riding ten years ago when he had his life-altering accident. 

I began to weep. 

It might seem strange that in the midst of such joy tears could come so quickly. 

Honestly, I have come across other like motorcycles before with no reaction. 

So why this time?

I believe it is because my God knew it would deepen our connection even more. I was in such a beautiful place and when the deep grief rose up I was privileged to go into that beauty more fully. 

It seemed to me that Papa was holding me and gently guiding me through the sorrow in a more intimate way. 

Many times I have sought Him in my pain and sorrow, but never from a place of Joy. He has always comforted me, but never have I been so free to receive so fully!

Today I came across a quote from Graham Cooke. 

“ Rejoicing connects us with the joy of the Lord and allows us to become aware of the opportunities that are present.”

Opportunities for great healing? Opportunities for greater comfort? Opportunities for greater intimacy with the Lover of our soul!

The season we all find ourselves is giving us all more opportunities to explore the numerous feelings that arise. 

It is also an opportunity to draw nearer to the amazing, almighty Loving God!

If we do, then when we look back on this season, we will do so with gratitude and joy!

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,”

Psalms 30:11 NIV

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”

Psalms 16:11 NIV

Practice

Hello there!
It’s been a couple of weeks since I have stopped by here.
I’ve been busy!

The warmer weather has drawn me outside.
Many flowers have been planted and a number of serious hikes have taken place.

I’ve had some thoughts as to what to share here, but by the time I sit down in the evening the brain is in neutral.

In light of the additional turmoil our country is experiencing at the moment I am feeling prompted to write this new post.

The thoughts that have been accumulating have a theme.
Presence.

There are two parts to this theme.
Being present.
His Presence.

Being present means being in the moment. In means not living in one’s head.

When I am present I can listen.
To His promptings and to others as they speak. Then I really hear!

It means I am not busy forming my next words, nor does it mean projecting as to what the future might be.
It takes practice.

Being present heightens my awareness of His Presence, as well as others around me.

To be aware of His Presence is to be aware of His love.
This stirs love in my heart.
Love first and foremost for Him.

What is that love meant to look like?
In Mark 12 Jesus is asked what was the most important commandment.
His response?

““The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:29-30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I reflect on this it seems to mean that we are to Practice His Presence. In other words be God-focused!
The more we do this the deeper our love grows.
With it comes peace.

I call this being in the flow.
The flow of His Spirit.

There was more to Jesus’ response.

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.””‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Practicing His Presence. Abiding in Him. Experiencing His love and grace.
What flows from this is that love for your neighbor.

Oh how our nation needs this right now!
Actually this world needs this!

For many years I have prayed for peace for this world.
People, who were created in our God’s image are mistreated at every turn.
Each individual is precious in His sight!

I was aware that there was racial injustice in our country, but truly did not realize just how deep it goes.  The blinders are off.  God has broken my heart.

In the 12 Step program there is a motto.
“Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”
We take one part or the other.
There is no neutral place.

So how can I be part of the solution?
How can we?

First is prayer.
Seeking God.
Allowing Him to show us how we have been part of the problem.
Listening to His direction.

Scripture speaks of praying without ceasing.
When we are practicing His Presence we find we have a running conversation with Him.
Just like anytime we are hanging with someone. We might be silent for periods of time, but being aware of their presence, we simply speak when we have something to share.
Same with hanging with Papa!

Prayer becomes our very breathe and the blood that courses through our veins.
According to Oswald Chambers, “Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life.”

His Presence puts the appropriate light on My thoughts, attitudes and the day.
Prayer helps us sort it all out.
We can rest and move in the Spirit.
Be in the flow!
Then we can be part of the solution and we will move mountains!

It takes practice!
In His Presence!