The plants in the garden that have survived the summer torment were resting in the cool of the morning. My four rabbits who withstood the extreme heat of summer were breathing more calm. The air outside gave a sigh of relief.
The seasonal change is beginning.
I echo the relief of my plants and rabbits - I also didn't know if I would make it through the summer heat. My life endured a full-scale assault at every angle: core family, extended family, my neighborhood, my health and my work. There were days when I would wake up before the cruel rays of the summer sun to find moments of silence before the demands of my situations bore down on me.
I found myself looking for Jesus. "Jesus," I would cry, "Where are you? I can't do this without you." With the demands closing in around me I felt like a hiker lost in a grove of sequoias. I could not see the sun. My path grew dark because the light could no longer penetrate the branches of the magnificent trees. My path had led me to this place, but I could not see where it continued.
In the darkness I cried.
I wasn't angry. I wasn't afraid. I just wanted Jesus.
"Jesus," I would cry out the next morning, "Where are you? I can't do this without you."
As my summer trudged on I recognized I cannot sit in this dark place. I must actively search, chop down trees if I have to, in order to get my focus back on Jesus.
My times of quiet became times of reading my Bible. Reminding myself who I was in Christ, reminding me of His Truths that I am never alone, He will not abandon me, He is working for my good. In my isolation, Jesus met me and pointed the way, showed me how to pull apart the trees to find the way to go. Though I felt alone- I knew I was never alone.
Day-by-day I struggled. Day-by-day I dragged myself out of my dark place and put myself on my Rock and worked at pushing the trees off my path. As huge and important as each tree was, nothing (AND I MEAN NOTHING) has the right to take my focus off my Savior. Every morning it was a battle to move the trees- again - and get my feet back on the right path.
As the cool greeted me this morning, I felt God's quiet still small voice say, "you made it."
In that quiet whisper I felt my shoulders relax, I took in a deep breath, and found shalom in the stillness of the cool morning.
The road before me is no less periling than before, but God's peace that transcends all my understanding is with me. My Savior, my friend is with me in my greatest hour of need and I am filled with thanksgiving.
Thank you, Jesus, for walking this dark road with me. Thank you for keeping me company even when I felt alone, teaching me how to move the trees that were crowding in on me and helping me find my way out of the forest.
When I came in from feeding my dog, I picked up The Message and read Psalm 23:
"God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feels secure." Psalm 23 The Message
Whatever forest you may find yourself, call out to Jesus. He is by your side and waiting to give you strength, point your way and help you out.
May God's peace be with you as you experience the coolness of the new season approaching!
Connie
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