Rest. Relaxation. Peace. Stillness.
These are the pursuits of summer vacation. With hectic daily lives, getting away on a trip can be restorative and healing.
These are also the same pursuits for our relationship with God. My verse for this year has been “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Knowing God requires being with Him, sitting at His feet, and resting in Him. Learning to be still in His presence is a life long journey built by a series of intentional moments. Most days my life is so loud, chaotic, and busy that I’ve had to learn how to be still even in the midst of the loudness.
Getting away from the distractions of life and setting aside worldly cares opens the way to His presence and a way to rest. It’s in the presence of His majesty where the senses are awakened from a deep slumber. In the quiet stillness His whispers become audible. When the fog of life’s distractions fades away, we can see Him clearly. And as our worldly cares are cast away, we feel His presence surround us.
Vacationing this past week with three other families from my church gave me an opportunity to quiet my heart to hear, feel, taste, and see His beauty in a richer way. All that is beautiful, lovely, desirable, wonderful, and exciting in this life is but a glimpse, a taste, of the wonder and beauty that is God.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Isaiah 43:2
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Luke 12:28
Counting His goodness and resting in His presence (#1620-1643)
Renting a house with a group of friends
A friend who is a chef who made us fabulous meals
Not having to cook all week
Kayaking on the river just after sunrise
Getting lost on a hike and finding our way back
Sitting on the deck with my husband and watching the sunset
Picnic at the park
Kids setting off rockets on the huge property
Exploring a sea of wild flowers
My husband discovering a fire truck on the property and getting permission to play with it
The kids getting hosed down, a homemade slip and slide, and going for a ride on the fire truck
Visiting old college friends
Holding a friends new sweet baby
Going for a walk and discovering an old barn
Geese covering the front lawn
No one getting poison ivy or ticks
Flying from our trip to Orlando to the Gospel Coalition’s Women’s Conference
Hearing Tim Keller, John Piper, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and other powerful and amazing speakers share the truth of Scripture in a deep and amazing way
Buying lots of new books:)
My friends support and encouragement as I step out in faith
Meeting a book publisher and having the opportunity to tell her about my book
Her expressing interest in it and taking a copy of my proposal to read
God’s sovereign hand in all things
Linking up with:
(not to mention, you seem to have an awesome camera!)
Sounds like a great time away…glad it was good/refreshing.
Did Timothy Keller talk about his book on marriage? It’s the best I’ve ever read on the topic!
Yes! He and his wife both talked about the book.
I love the perspective that getting away from our normal routine offers us. Perfect time for renewed perspective when we have this break from our regular life at home. And we had the perfect place, didn’t we! I miss it and our fellowship together there already, but thankful for the One who goes with us back into the craziness of our lives that await us at home.
It was the best time, wasn’t it? A wonderful taste of the life to come.
What beautiful pictures and thoughts of our Creator and closest Friend!
Thanks! The works of His hands never ceases to awe and amaze. Blessings!
What a gift - a week away with friends. Sounds like you have basked in His goodness well. Congrats on meeting with a publisher, didn’t know you wrote a book. Praying for some good news!
Thanks! I am learning a lot, no matter the outcome. Just following God wherever it leads. Blessings to you!
This last week I found it so difficult to get beyond the distractions — somewhat tangled and tied… But God is faithful. I found my rest in Him — when He met me in the place that I was in.
Hope you are having fun! Those mountains — definitely NOT Florida
So true! I really prefer mountains to the flatness of S. Florida. Blessings as you continue to meet with Him and rest in His presence.
Ahhh, vacations with friends are the best! And even better is to spend much of your time soaking up the peacefulness of resting in the Lord surrounded by the beauty of nature. It sounds like something my thirsty soul could use! Thanks so much for sharing!
They are the best! I love how creation reveals God in so many ways. It’s a place where His word comes alive for me. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh…so glad your trip was full of Him…His beauty…His rest…His peace…all a sweet, sweet gift. I love the pictures…they are just breathtaking…blessings to you~
Thank you so much! The only trip worth taking is one that is full of Him. The whole earth is full of His glory!
What beautiful pictures to go with GOD’s encouraging words!
Thank you! And I’m so glad you stopped by. Blessings on your day!
I love how you can find time to rest, be still with Him while surrounded by friends and kids alike! It takes work for my introverted heart…
Beautiful post, Christina. I felt it. Through picture and Word, I sensed Him.
So glad you got to go to the conference!!!
I know, I’m introverted too. Thankfully my friends know and understand that. Besides, with staying on 100 hundred acres, there was plenty of space to be by myself:)
This is such a beautiful post - and what beautiful pictures! I love the Scriptures you’ve chosen, too. Rest - so important, but so easy to miss. Thank you for this wonderful reminder.
Thank you, you are kind:) When I slow down and seek Him everywhere, His glory shouts to me in all He’s made. And I can’t help but capture what I see in a picture:) Blessings!
I really enjoyed reading (and getting restored by) this post. And the photos are beautiful. You’re aiming the same way this year as I am. Instead of a verse, I chose a word to direct my year — “CLOSER,” meaning drawing closer to Him, and in the same ways you wrote about.
Oh, closer is a great word to describe it! Yes, I long to be closer and nearer to His presence. Thanks for stopping by!
I love the photos you chose to go with the post. They brought an added sense of peace and awe of God.
Oh thanks! I took so many pictures, it was hard to choose just a few:)
Sounds like you had an amazing vacation with family and friends. So happy for you! Loved your list. And I want to hear more about your book!!! Can you tell?
Thanks! I’ll contact you to give you more details, thanks for asking:)
“When the fog of life’s distractions clears away, we can see Him clearly” Loved this and also all the beautiful pictures and Bible quotes. Thanks.
Joy
It seems like there is usually a fog clouding my view. I need to be more intentional about doing away with life’s distractions. Thanks for stopping by!
Such a lovely post.
You are sweet, Denise. Thanks!
Glad you found some quiet time and had some time with friends. I love reading how God is at work in people’s lives-it makes me appreciate the miracle of this life so much more!