By Kathy Cheek
We recently had a missionary in our church and he shared with us that when he was finishing college he wanted to get away with God to ask Him what to do with his life. Use the degree he’d just earned or heed God’s call to mission work. He told us he did get away. He went backpacking in another country.
Later, as I recalled his account of wanting a getaway with God, my mind started dreaming of such a place. My thoughts raced to a mountain hideaway, a cabin by a lake, wildflowers, and a breeze so fresh you can’t breathe it all in. Oh how I could use a getaway.
I want to know more clearly what to do and I want inspiration so the words will flow like a mountain waterfall in the spring after a snowy winter. I long for refreshment.
We know we don’t have to get away to a mountain hideaway to hear from God.
But there are times when solitude is the best prescription for what ails the heart that longs to hear in more detail how God desires to lead in a certain area, whether we are facing a crossroads or in a situation where nothing is happening.
I have been craving my own retreat but it hasn’t happened.
The next best thing happened when a few days later God put one right in front of me and it was my great delight.
Walking along the paved trail behind our neighborhood, I peered into the woods, winter bare, sun streaming down casting evening shadows—when something caught my eye.
Two Adirondack chairs, one red and the other blue, were in the middle of the woods. A kindred spirit must have done such a thing placing them there. Another heart that beats for quiet moments of serenity when all the world must be tuned out for a little while.
As I sank comfortably into the blue chair, I thought about how this scene will look in the spring, and I cannot wait. Every breath I take in winter awaits the coming spring. But for the barrenness of winter, I would not have spotted the red and blue Adirondack chairs from the trail.
These were my happiest moments in recent days as I received this treasured gift of refreshment and kindness from the Lord.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You. ~ Psalm 63:3 NKJV
Check out Kathy’s latest book:
First Breath of Morning – Where God Waits For You Every Day
First Breath of Morning is multi-themed with 90 devotions in six chapters that portray a beautiful picture of our walk with God through drawing near, growing our relationship, leaning into His love, strengthening our faith, trusting Him through every circumstance, and exalting Him in worship. The messages in First Breath of Morning will refresh your faith and renew your trust in God. First Breath of Morning is an Invitation to the relationship God wants to have with us every day and it starts in the first breath of each new morning where He is already waiting for you.
You can find out more about her book at this link on her Devotions from the Heartwebsite: First Breath of Morning Book Info Page.
First Breath of Morning: Click Here To Purchase Paperback
Click Here to Purchase eBook.
