I don’t remember who decided to open the freezer. But the timing was perfect. For the last hour bickering had multiplied and we needed a change of scenery. I needed a change of scenery.
We each chose our flavor and followed in a line to the side porch. The sun hid behind the trees. My popsicle dripped on my bare toes. The kids had sticky hands and colored lips. And for just a few minutes we sat — content — actually hearing the birds that the windows had silenced.
Sometimes we just need to eat a popsicle, while barefoot. We need to step away from the demands and preferences and expectations, and just sit while taking in His wonder and reminding our hearts of Who reigns on high.
Monday comes and life swirls quickly. Remember to open the freezer, step outside, and breathe Him in.
Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.
Psalm 71:3
Fill me, Lord…
What do you do to break away and regroup?
How do you refocus upon Him when life gets stressful?
I sigh deeply…all too often I am the regimented, task master, who shutters at change in schedule…however if I just physcially rest my back and head to a wall (up against a wall it’s a bit funny) breathe and I am renewed by His mercy and peace. Thanks Lara…as always. Keeping it real friend.
I can get frustrated with schedule changes too. I’m trying to release that. He is bigger than our schedule. 😉 Love to you, friend.
This weekend was really a great time to break away and regroup for me. I hope you don’t mind, but I really want to share this amazing thing that happened to me this weekend 🙂
This weekend I went to a camp with my youth group. I have been to this camp every year for the last three years of my high school career, but I have never experienced something this amazing before. During the Saturday night chapel, which is the climatic moment of camp, we took communion and just had this quiet, reflective time with God, which was really awesome and God really showed up in that moment.Â
But, what I want to share with you happened during the senior girls small group time after communion. This is when we kind of unravel and talk about everything that we heard from God. Sitting there and hearing about all of the junk in these girls have gone through was really emotional for me because I always thought they had it all together. Boy, was I wrong!Â
Somewhere during this time, I broke down and started crying. I have no idea why I started crying, but it felt so good! I honestly cannot remember the last time I cried. I tend to bottle up my emotions so it felt so good to let it all out. Pretty soon, every single senior girl was crying. And, trust me, it was not a few sweet, silent tears. We were all sitting on the floor, clinging to each other sobbing and bawling out eyes out loudly. It was probably not a pretty sight to see, but it was such a beautiful moment.
Our wonderful adult leader, Jennifer started praying out loud for each girl and we all hugged, held hands with, or rubbed the backs of each girl who was being prayed for. We were all crying so hard, I barely remember the prayer that Jennifer prayed for me, but what I do remember is my back being rubbed, my hands being held and being hugged. I am getting all teary eyed right now just thinking about it! I felt so loved and so peaceful and so cared for in that moment, even though we were all crying so loudly.
The real God thing about that moment is that before last night, there had been some division between the senior girls. We are all so different and we hang out with different people, but last night, we all came together and it was such a beautiful bonding moment. I hope and pray that the bond that we created last night will last the test of time.
I prayed for God to show up this weekend, and he sure did, in ways I never expected Him to.
That’s awesome how He united the senior girls! He is a God of unity. Praying the bond continues. Thanks for sharing your walk with the Lord. You are precious.