Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Chillax (04/03/14)
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TITLE: Hot Tub Revelation | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Berg
04/10/14 -
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I rose from the bed quietly not wanting to disturb my husband. He was still sleeping peacefully in spite of the constant mild snoring sound he made.
Grabbing my bible on the nightstand, I headed to the loft to read. I will read for a bit and then make a cup of coffee and go sit in the hot tub on the deck and watch the sun come up.
Turning on a lamp on a side table, I began to read the daily assigned passage from the New Testament. After taking some time to mediate on it I turned to the days passage from Psalm 100.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is He who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
I think I will spend the rest of my morning time alone with the Lord out on the deck.
Minutes later, after dressing in my swimming suit, I returned to the kitchen and filled a large cup with hot coffee.
Opening the patio door I stuck my foot out on the deck. The cold meeting my feet made me glad the hot tub was only seconds from my plunge.
As I settled into the warmth of the water engulfing me, a slight sigh escaped from my inner being. I laid my head back and stretched my arms out, letting them float along the top of the water. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, for this time of relaxation and refreshment.
With eyes closed I spent several minute motionless listening to the sounds of the morning outside while the world came alive.
Opening my eyes I caught just a glimmer of light as the sun was beginning to peak over the ridge of the mountain before me. The wind was gentle and the coolness of it on my face with the warmth and heat of the water surrounding the remainder of my body, gave sharpness to all my senses. I paddled my hands lightly, swirling the water around me searching for the button that would automate that movement. I heard a train whistle off in the distance.
I grabbed my camera, placed at a safe distance from water, and took a picture of the horizon just as the first rays of the morning light shot over the ridge. For the next fifteen minutes, I would take a picture every three or four minutes documenting for my pleasure the gradual building beauty of an awakening day.
It was quiet in the world of God’s creation around me. But it was not quiet in my mind and heart.
I was four months into a new job. It was a demanding job physically and mentally. It was a 24-7 kind of job that took all of my own resources and more. It was a job that included dealing with the heartache and wounds of young women and at times it overwhelmed me with sorrow for them and the struggles they had.
Every day as I arose from bed I prayed for just enough strength and wisdom to meet the demands of the day for the girls in my care. . Each day, the Lord provided.
This moment, in this quiet place, at what appeared to be the top of the world I delighted in the provision of God. He had given physical strength when I personally felt I could not endure. He gave wisdom and words of encouragement to me but also to share with our girls. He gave his peace no matter what came my way. He gave a constant awareness to me that what I had to offer to the girls in the way of hope for a life abundant, in spite of their wounds, was a gift beyond measure.
As I once again took another picture of the sun, its bottom half just emerging from below the ridge, I began to sing: God is so good……………
Biblical Reference: Psalm 100
I recently began work as house mom at a Christian Children's home for girls.
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Nicely done!
God bless~
It does the topic justice. thanks for sharing.