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Resting in God's Presence

 

Just before I got married, during that particularly overwhelming week before the wedding when you are trying to wrap up every detail and tie up all the loose ends (in the midst of out town in-laws arriving and throwing monkey wrenches in all your carefully crafted plans - oh wait, that's a whole other story...), someone gave me a bit of advice that I have always remembered. They said that I should take a minute in the middle of all of the festivities and just breathe, look around and remember that moment in time - because I probably won't remember the rest. Well, the marriage didn't end up lasting, but that advice has always stayed with me!

 

This past week we had one of those vacations that will always be on my list of favorites. We went to Little Gasparilla Island off the west coast of Florida and literally just sat on the beach, swam, played board games, read books and enjoyed God's incredible Creation and each other's company! I unplugged and completely recharged my batteries. My "one moment to remember" happened when I was on a raft floating in the ocean and gazing up at the perfect blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds. I was literally the only one in the ocean (at least at that beach) and I had never felt closer to God. I just floated and talked with God for a good 30 minutes or so. The incredible feeling of being so small in relation to the vastness of God's Creation, yet so loved by the maker of the universe was exactly what my weary heart needed. 

 

How is your weary heart doing? These moments to remember don't just happen by accident. We need to prayerfully plan for them. We need to remove ourselves from the busyness and distractions of this broken world and put ourselves in places and spaces where we can see, hear and feel God's presence. I am often guilty of feeling like I have to keep moving and that I don't have time for this type of rest and renewal. But, boy am I wrong when I feel that way! Our contribution to the world is important, but our self care and our time with God is equally important. News flash - the world does not revolve around us! Second news flash - God also created the Sabbath and told us we should rest!

 

It is my hope and my prayer that in these slower days of the waning summer you will find the time to rest and renew. And remember to find a few minutes to take in everything around you so you can remember what it feels like to be in the presence of the Divine! God is always there - but we are not always paying attention. 

 

"Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27)

 

Grace and Peace

-Pastor Madeline

 

P.S. - This picture is of my Elsa also enjoying the Sabbath!