Beauty was just outside my door.
But my to-do list called to me.
Emails to answer.
Deadlines to meet.
A speaking engagement to prepare.
Unusual warm rays of sun broke through winter, peeking through my windows.
But I just kept on working.
Hands on the clock slipped from one hour to the next, and suddenly I realized that soon the winter sunshine would ebb into nightfall.
And I was about to miss it.
I grabbed a light jacket and slipped outside. For the next hour I plunged my hands in soil, removing debris, pulling up dead roots, sweeping away the brown and curled leaves from the garden bed. Just underneath small green shoots poked through the soil.
I had almost missed this.
Maybe, like me, you sometimes get stuck in a place where you work, work, work. But instead of physical work, it’s spiritual work.
Lord, see how hard I’m trying to change.
Lord, maybe if I win this battle, you’ll love me more.
If I do this, or do that, I’ll finally be like her. . . or her.
Maybe, to you, gardening is just more work and you don’t get the point. But there’s something about putting my hands in the soil that breathes life into me. Seeing the old fall away. Watching new life emerge. Admiring the beauty rise up through the barren places.
My God knows that about me, just as He knows you.
In the midst of our work, work, work, He calls us to stop for a moment so He can lead us to a place of refreshment, of rest, of restoration.
Maybe today, you have been working, working, working. . . and you sense God asking you to stop.
Just for a moment.
To step into His Light.
To let Him clear away any debris. To let Him remove any dead branches. To let Him breathe life into your heart and soul in the midst of winter.
Will you do that today?
The Word gave life to everything that was created,and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:4-5 (NLT)
Oh what a wonderful post for my heart today. My word for the year is breathe and lately it seems I have been doing anything but that…slowing down is what my soul yearns for and this was a good reminder. Thank you. I too love the feel of the dirt and seeing it come to life. Blessings on your day
Love your new site friend! Truly reflects you…which is absolutely beautiful!
Thank you so much for this reminder. When you write it feels like you write about me. It has been a week/month of work, work, work. Every season I try to remind myself to stop and notice the changes that are going on around me. I love the fall and sometimes I don’t notice that changes have taken place until the leaves are gone from the trees and then I realize that I missed it. Life is so busy. I try to stop and breathe and sit for a few moments to reconnect with God for that moment. Then I feel refreshed and reminded that He is still there and it recenters me and grounds me in Him. I have to do that many times during the day like now. I love the devotionals. They are a great reminder to stop and be with Him. Thanks! Glenda Daw
What a wonderful reminder! Thanks so much for sharing.
Welcoming rest as an act of faith…. yes. That is some life-giving wisdom for this girl who just got two new projects on her plate! Keeping this handy as a reminder. 🙂