Minute Vacations

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 106:1, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:1, Psalm 136:1, Jeremiah 33:11

It is good to take time to ‘stop and smell the roses’. It is good to take vacations, where you can chill, and relax, and begin to notice God’s handiwork all around you. It is refreshing; you can breathe it into your soul.

But sometimes we can’t take vacation. We can’t get away from our routine. Sometimes when our feet hit the floor in the morning, that’s it! The only spare time you might have would be maybe the shower or in the car! So you have to take minute vacations.

Minute vacations. Take a look out your window at the beautiful sky. Glance at the flowers growing wild by the roadside. Look up to the cloud patterns. See the brilliant shine on a tree with fresh raindrops, the vivid variety of color in fruits and vegetables- ordinary, every-day things. Take a deep breath, and realize, God is so good, thank you Lord! Just begin to thank Him. It’s amazing what can happen simply by doing a seemingly insignificant thing like this.

It is good to take minute vacations, Especially when it is out of doors. There is something healing about being outside, even for a brief moment. And thank the Lord; it’s habit-forming! An attitude of gratitude will take you far, definitely promote change – a lightness in your step and a smile in your heart.
Thank you Lord for helping us be aware of endless Minute Vacations that you provide each day for us, amen.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1

Smooth Stones

One of the earliest sunday school stories I recall hearing is the one about David and Goliath. David, shepherd boy, who comes up against the gigantic warrior, Goliath. And with just a slingshot and a few little stones.

What a hero! He zaps the enemy in one fell blow, straight to the head. Here’s the story, from the Bible (17th chapter of 1st Samuel):

Then he took his (shepherd’s) staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand...David said to the Philistine(giant), "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ..This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down ... All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." ..Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. So David triumphed ...without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

The stones David selected were smooth. Not big, heavy boulders. Small stones that had been continually washed by the river waters. They were more fit for use against the enemy than rougher, larger, more rugged stones.

David knew. He had spent a lot of time outdoors, by himself, taking care of the flocks of sheep for his father. And he’d had plenty of time to practice with his slingshot. He knew how to do it.

In our journeys, as we are constantly washed by the waters of life, we too become more smooth. More fit to be used. As I was thinking of this, I coudn’t help but think that it would be good for me to quit struggling so often, and just go with the flow. Smooth stones are just fine, especially when they’re part of God’s master plan.

If you..know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Luke 11:13

The Rolling Store

Once a week the rattly old yellow bus would wind its way up the mountainside to the few cabins and cottages on Lake Delaware. Each week, my sister and I were ready and waiting with our allowance in hand.

It was exciting to climb the steps and look into the Rolling Store. It had been renovated and outfitted with lots of shelves filled with canned goods and intriguing items. While Mom bought a few things, we had time to peruse the candy shelves, and choose from the many mouthwatering penny items. Mary Janes, Necco wafers, Good ‘n Plenty, etc. A small sack to last the week and we were 'happy campers'.

Have you ever heard the saying, “All good things come to those who wait”? The store came to us, we didn’t have to go looking for things to buy that we wanted. Likewise, God will bring to us what we need. Doors and windows will open.

Today is unfolding just as planned. What I need will come to me today, without my searching everywhere for it. All I need to do is trust in the Lord, and in His plan for me. Thank you, my wonderful Father.

In the morning, oh Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3

Morning Glory

Some people seem to be born “morning people”, and others not. I’m in the “not” group. So even though I kept meaning to walk over and take a photo of the morning glory vines nearby, it was lunchtime before I got there.

I had seen them earlier, from the car, and they were in full color array. Vibrant periwinkle blue, on bright green leaves, stretching from the planter box downstairs all the way up to the second story.

In the heat of mid-day, the vines were still there, but the flowers had closed. The glory of these lovely flowers was in the morning.

The book of Psalms has always been a source of inspiration and comfort to me. Something in my spirit and soul begins to calm down and become serene, when I take time to read words that David penned so long ago.

I thought about what the Bible says, in the psalms, about praying in the morning. Of course you can pray anytime – which is great! But there is something about praying in the morning that is special. Even before getting out of bed.

This timeless confession, by David, the “man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 13:14), is good for me to heed, each and every morning: “In the morning, oh Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”