Devotions from Judy’s heart

While reading Steve Smith’s book, “The Jesus Life”, I was again reminded how important it is to take time to be quiet and go apart as Jesus did. He would engage the crowds but then He always made time to rejuvenate with time alone with his Father. Luke describes one day in Jesus life for us to follow that involved “ first solitude; then community, where we share what happens in our solitude, and then work where we give out of full hearts to a needy world.”  We can’t give without times to receive and we cannot give what we do not have. When we are quiet and still it is easier to hear Him and our souls are nourished. We need to pay attention to what is going on in our inner and outer world. So I just sat on the dock in quiet and took in my world around me and in me. For the first time, I noticed that the lilies that had been forming underwater the day before were now showing above the water. The Lady Slippers were blooming near by that I had also missed. As we see the need for quiet, I believe the Lord wants us to give us a healthy rhythm to our lives that is life giving …where we are not stressed out but life is abundant and full. As it says in Matt. 11: “Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show your how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace….and.you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”