A winter sun hangs low in the sky, its weak rays attempting
to filter through the November clouds. I shiver as an icy wind blasts my face,
and increase my pace, anxious to reach my car’s warmth and shelter from the
cold. I definitely don’t miss this pat of living here, nor do I miss the crowds
of people that clog both stores and freeways. Traffic. Ugh. I quickly open the
car door, turn on the heated seats, clasp my seatbelt and ease my foot on the
gas pedal to reverse out of my parking spot and onto the street.
I’m really happy I made this trip. I needed it. These first
couple of months after moving had sapped all of my strength, and I needed a
boost of confidence and restoration for my weary soul. Beautiful verses from
Psalm 23 slip gently into my mind, and I silently breathe out a prayer of
thanksgiving for this rest. “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters; He
restores my soul.”
It reminds me of the wonderful coastal trip my sister and I
made back in August. I re-read through my journal last night, and smiled as I
came across my entries that painted the beauty of the landscape we traversed;
yet another reminder that God will give me rest for my soul when I need it. All
I need to do is look for it:
“The best part of the day was
navigating our way from Napa to Petaluma. The sun was slowly falling from its
lofty midday heights and would soon rest on the peaks of the mountains. Its
rays shimmered and danced through quivering leaves, and as we emerged from the
tree tunnels, I gasped. The road dipped down, nestled and curved between
gently rolling hills that were lined with grapes on one side and dotted with
grazing cattle on the other. In the distance sat austere mountain peaks, grey
and misty in the late afternoon haze. The entire scene provoked a thought in my
mind, ‘I bet this is a bit of what heaven will look like.’ One of my favorite
Italian songs, L’Appuntamento, flooded sweetly into my ears as I nudged the
steering wheel and turned the car around the next curve. Spired trees and
Tuscan-looking architecture appeared in my view, and for a fleeting moment, I
could easily imagine that I was back in Italy. Peace. That was peace. So much
has been crazy and hectic and scattered in my life over the past three weeks,
so I can’t even begin to describe how welcome the feeling if peace is to my
spirit and soul.”
I’m grateful that God reminded me of that trip three months
ago, when my life was just as crazy as it is now, and even more so because of
all the unknowns I faced then that have answers attached to them now. God gave
me a respite in the midst of turmoil, just as He gave me rest this past weekend
that I spent in Minnesota. In addition to appreciating these times of rest, I’m
also learning more and more the accessibility of His peace no matter what each
day holds. I am learning the importance of enjoying each and every day that I’m
given, whether that includes kids calling me “SUCKER!” to my face, me accidentally
exploding cans of whipped cream in the Starbucks back room and subsequent cleanup
it requires, having customers yell at me for making a drink incorrectly, or
flat tires and disappointed relationship expectations. I can’t change these
circumstances, but in the midst of them, I’m able to retreat to that little
corner of peace that God has cultivated in my heart through beautiful memories
and the power of His word:
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the
Spirit.” –Galatians 5:25
I’m grateful for a God who provides access to peace when His
children find themselves weary in soul and downtrodden in spirit. He knows just
what we need and gives us the strength to go on.
I groan as I encounter the dreaded orange cones and
inevitable arrows that are directing traffic to go down from two lanes to one.
Just one of the unfortunate side effects of travelling in the city, and one
that I’ll continue to endure for as long as I keep coming back to visit family.
I roll my eyes as yet another car tries to budge its way in front of me instead
of behind, like it should. I feel familiar road rage start to bubble up, and
then I suppress it with a sigh instead. I can’t change the fact that
construction is STILL going on, but I can choose my attitude. What good would
it do me to be angry about it, anyway? I’m not going to be in Roseville for
much longer, so I might as well soak up the annoyances that come with the joy
of being back in familiar territory. So, I think back again on the verses of
Psalm 23, “He leads me beside still waters….”, and soak it all in, instead.
I’ll be glad to be back in California, but I also know I’ll think back with
fondness on the bitter cold and frustrating traffic as comforting, homey
aspects of life. So, I focus on God’s peace. I’m grateful I’m here. I’m
grateful for each day, each moment, each second of life. It’s a gift, and I
don’t want to waste any part of it. 