Click here to play today’s new podcast episode.
“He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.” -Psalm 23
When I lived in Oxford, early Saturday mornings I would sneak to my favorite coffee shop, secure a flat white, and freshly baked almond croissant and meander to the University Parks. I had discovered a hidden bench amidst the trees that looked out upon still waters. A variety of birds (swans, ducks, and other smaller varieties) would gently dance around the small lake and glided from side to side. Sipping my brew and munching my pastry while enjoying the quiet was a regular ritual that generously filled my heart as I needed some beauty and time to center myself for the demands of the next week. I actually considered it “my own private bench.”
David seemed to understand the need for himself to restore and saw God as the source leading him beside still waters and restoring his soul. His shepherd heart valued nature from years of walking amongst the hills beside his sheep, enjoying sunrises, evening stars and the vast artwork of nature.
In the hustle and bustle of life, we have long check lists of chores to be done, classes to be taught, tasks to be completed. It is a temptation to measure our lives by what we accomplish and how busy our schedule. But each of us is a human being, born with limitations. We have limited energy, emotional breadth, mental acuity—and we are spending ourselves every day all the time. The way to make it in a flourishing way long term is to regularly rest, restore, refresh—sleep, food, friendships, quiet moments.
My story today from Seasons of a Mother’s Heart is a story about how unexpectedly the Lord filled my love-bucket and soothed my weary soul through the unexpected magical moment of delight with one of my children when we saw the morning star in all its glory for a memory burned into both of our souls.
May you find rhythms of restoration amidst your busy days and be filled with joy-filled moments this season. Create some soul-filling rituals amidst the busy seasons coming upon us.
