Trees and other unexpected things

Today is Father's Day.  Instead of attending church, we decided to go on a hike.  Our family is somewhat fit, well, let's call it a work in progress, but we've never done a hike this long.

Spending the day with my husband and kids, I didn't expect to hear from my Heavenly Father, especially on a day when I didn't attend church.  But, I did.

Flowers
Immediately setting out on the trail, I saw two flowers.  One was yellow.  Yellow flowers are my favorite.  Due to my own allergies, I cannot receive flowers.  But, I love looking at them. The second flower was a purple one.  Purple is my favorite color, but it also reminds me of my late Mamaw.  These two things may be silly to read, but the flowers put me a peace.

Yes, that's the picture I took.  It's simple, but it reminds me of grace. No, not my daughter, but of God's grace.

Trees
We were walking in Daniel Boone National Forest.  Along with a Kentucky history lesson on my part (I couldn't help myself), I was simply amazed on how many trees there were.  I literally see trees every single day.  However, God was using this experience to teach me not to take the mundane for granted.  At one point, I came across a bent tree.  The tree was bent, not broken.  It reminded me of my years in Florida.  During hurricanes, trees would blow and bend.  One would think that they would snap in two, but that is not the case.  Because they are deeply rooted.  I was reminded of life.  Life can sometimes feel like it's broken, but sometimes it's just bent.  Your chapter may be closed, but God is not finished writing your story.

Weeds
At one point, there was a break in the shade of trees.  There was one spot that the sun broke through.  In that space, one lone plant bloomed higher than any of his surrounding buddies.   Reaching high in the sky, towards the sun.  Just as we are to reach towards the heavens and to the Son.  God will provide what we need.

Sunlight
Speaking of sunlight, the area we hiked was very shaded.  Thankfully, shaded.  All the praise hands, shaded.  However, it was a long hike.  Many times, my physical body wanted to scream and complain.  When I got to that point, there was a break and we walked in sunlight.  And, for 30 more seconds, I was even more miserable.  So, guess what? I didn't complain.  I realized I was thankful for the shaded walk.  So, whether you're looking for the sun or for some shade, be willing to realize the blessings in front of you.

Peace
I mentioned that we were a work-in-progress.  All humans are.  Every time that I think I'm perfect, I realize that I fall short, immensely.  During the hike, I trailed behind my husband and my kids.  It's not that I couldn't do it, I just know I have to set my own pace.  Years ago, while still "skinny" according to the world's standards, I could not have a completed an 11 mile hike.  So, last in line, I hear my name called.  It sounds strangely like my Uncle Steve, who not only wasn't with us, but lives in another state.  Immediately, I hear my name called again.  This time, it sounds like my Mamaw saying it.  It sounded like her and she used my first and last name.  Most people would find this oddly eerie, or think that I'm losing my marbles.  Yet, I was at peace.  Just walking.  I kept moving.  But, I heard God speak to my heart.  He said this, "I still hear you, and you can still hear me."  I am so thankful that He knows my name.

If I had a mic, I think I'd drop it here.  There have been many things in my life that cause me to question God.  But, not to "question God", but to ask God questions.  And, know what?  I rarely get an answer.  But, today tells me that it's okay that I don't have the answer.  It's okay that I'm a work in progress and not perfect.

God still hears me.  I can still hear him.

God still hears you.  You can still hear him.

Sometimes, we just need the simplest of things--even like those I found in nature today--to remind us.

Stillness

Growing up, I was always the shy one.  In fact, when I answered the phone, I didn't answer at all.  My dad would say, "Say Hello."  One would think that I'm talking about when I was a toddler, just learning to talk.  Nope.  Try, teenager.

Now, I'm known to overshare.  Like my dress?  Thanks, I only paid $8.00 for it.  And, much worse.  I over-share and over-trust.  I've been known to confide in the wrong person, simply because I literally trust everyone.  It's gotten me in to trouble in the past.

At the beginning of the year, God gave me a word for 2018.  Stillness.  It comes from this scripture:

"Be still and know that I am God." ~Psalms 46:10


As I write now, my house is completely quiet.  My two children are reading, as part of a summer challenge I gave them.  They're required to do so many things before they can use technology.

I, too, was reading a devotion.  One chapter of a book from my favorite blogger.  It was powerful stuff.  I kept looking for what to take a picture of or words to share on social media.  It's so good, I need someone else to read it, right?

Then, God hit me.  Well, not literally, of course.  But, each time that I feel that God is talking to me, it is indeed in that still small voice.  Unfortunately for me, I am stubborn and it usually feels like I've been hit with a ton of bricks.

Allow me to share.  This morning, as I was reading my devotion, God told me NOT to share what I was reading.  So, I am sharing, but I am sharing this.  I feel He said to my heart:

This is for you.  You alone.  You don't need to share.  Just receive.

That's it.  Mind blown, right? If you're a woman like me, you find it easier to give than to receive.  Receiving seems selfish.

But, God is telling me, and perhaps He's telling you, to be still.  To receive.  To rest in His presence, and know that everything is going to be okay.