Abandoned Nest

 

"Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear."

―Matthew 13:16, NIV 

 

In December of 2010, my sister and I placed our ninety-one year old mother in a nursing home. Anyone, who has walked this path, knows the emotional toll it takes upon a family. God, in his grace, used my love for photography as a diversion from the events that were beginning to unfold. My frequent thirty-minute drives to and from the facility became occasions for me to collaborate with the Lord as to my next daily photo and blog post.

Twenty-two days after my mother entered the facility, I noticed an abandoned nest in an adjacent wooded lot. As I focused my camera's lens on its poignant beauty, God quietly spoke to me of another “abandoned nest”―one whose tenant would never return.

I will always cherish my encounter and the bittersweet token of beauty God tenderly placed on my difficult path that day, simply to say . . . “I am here.” 

After a nine month stay, my mother left the facility for her eternal nesting place. That was two years ago today. I miss her daily.

Come to Me

Straining and striving does not accomplish the work God gives us to do. There is no straining effort in an overflowing life. The key is . . .

 

"Not overwork but overflow."

~ Streams in the Desert ~

 

  "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul."
―Psalms 23:2-3, KJV

Ceaseless activity may fill our days, but busyness is not the sign of a meaningful life. Rather, it is quite the opposite. It is in effortless abiding that our life becomes full―full to overflowing.

Taking the time to refresh our body, soul and spirit is crucial to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Christ knew the importance of withdrawing from the crowds and spending time alone with his Father. 

He invites us to do the same.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest." ―Matthew 11:28, NIV

 

Go ahead.

 

Give yourself permission to step away from your crowded schedule.

 

Kick back.

 

Listen to this song.

 

Meditate on him.

 

Now . . . BREATHE!      



 

This photo was taken at Cherry Grove, NC 2011

Be Still and Know

"We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart . . .

and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.

I think at least part of the answer lies in solitude." 

~Helen Hayes~

  

"Be still, and know that I am God."

―Psalm 46:10, NIV


In his book Silent God, Joseph Bentz poses the question . . . "If God silenced himself entirely in our lives, how many of us would notice the difference?"

 

Sobering . . . isn't it?

 

This week, eliminate one television show or one hour of internet time each day and spend that time in silence, prayer, or Bible study.

 

You will notice a difference.

 

 

 This photo was taken at Black Mountain, NC 2013