[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
Walking down a well-worn path, there was a sad and lonely bench off to my left. It beckoned me to come and sit for a minute and rest.
A thousand excuses were running through my mind:
“I can’t, I have too many things to do.”
“The bench is so old and tattered, it might fall apart if I sit on it.”
“I have to go off the path, I might get dirty.”
“I could encounter a snake (ewww!) and that would be most unpleasant.”
The random thoughts continued to pepper my mind, and yet, I still felt this pull to go and sit, if even for a minute.
Photo Credit: Public Domain
Silencing the screaming thoughts, I began making my way toward the bench. As I made my way, I noticed that there was once a path, but it had been overgrown with brush and debris. The closer I got to the bench, there was a sense of familiarity.
Why did this bench call to me? It seemed to draw me in. Had I been here before? It seemed so.
Finally, arriving at the bench, I surveyed my surroundings. From the vantage of the path it had looked desolate, broken-down, and forgotten. However, as I stood right in front of the bench I saw it differently. It was a sanctuary. A sanctuary that radiated peace.
Photo Credit: Old Things New
A huge oak tree provided shade from the sun, or shelter from the rain. There were wildflowers growing all around it in a beautiful array of colors. And the bench – the bench itself was a masterpiece of iron and wood. I felt such peace and contentment as I looked around.
Well, I thought to myself, I’m here, I might as well sit for a minute before I get back on the path heading towards my destination. After all, I have a million things to do and people to meet with.
As I sat, I took a deep cleansing breath and then another. It’s as if I had indeed been here before…. And then, I heard it. The familiar yet somewhat forgotten sound. The sound of the still quiet voice of my friend.
“Hello, I am so happy to see you again! Can you stay for awhile?”
That voice, it took my breath away, and at the same time I remembered. This is my place. My place of sanctuary. My place of peace and rest. My place to sit and talk with My Friend, My Savior – Jesus!
The tears began to stream down my face as I was overcome by His presence and the soothing comfort of His voice. There was no condemnation just a complete acceptance and welcome. I could feel the shame and anger at myself begin to rise because I had neglected this place. Forgotten about it and allowed the “demands of life” to take over.
Then, in an instant they were all washed away as the loving arms of Jesus embraced me, and He spoke to my heart.
If you’re reminded of His love for you – embrace Him again today. He has great plans for you, plans for you to walk in freedom and power with your head held high free from shame and condemnation. His desire is a deeper relationship with you, run to him, then sit and talk awhile.
Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
The above story is a vision the Lord gave me several months ago as I was feeling overwhelmed and in a dry dessert season. He reminded me, ever so gently, that no matter how busy I get, no matter where I am, there is always time to sit in His presence and be refreshed.
Tweet ThisI don’t know about you, but for me, I am constantly on the go and can keep busy. I often find myself rushing to get in my daily devotionals and read the Bible, so I can get to the tasks for the day. Sometimes, it’s as if my devotions become just another task, an item to check off a list, or it feels like too much of an indulgence to sit and rest in His presence. However, Jesus wants relationship, and relationships take time and conversation. Jesus is never an indulgence – He’s a necessity!!
Take a minute and sit and talk with Him today.
Here is a picture of one of the places where I like to spend time with the Lord.
Where is your favorite spot? I would love to hear from you.
Be Blessed and May the Lord speak new revelation to your heart today!
[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
Book Giveaway
Reminder the current Book giveaway ends Monday July 13th
Don’t forget to go comment and share on the Book Review Monday post from June 29th to enter for your chance to win a copy of Miracles from Heaven. Plus use the Raffle-Copter for extra chances to win.
Look for my next Book Review Monday coming soon.
I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
Sunday’s
Monday’s
What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings
Tuesday’s
Wednesday’s
Wednesday’s Prayer Girls & Linkup Party
Thursday’s
Serving Joyfully/Thriving Thursday
Friday’s:
Saturday’s:
My favorite place with Jesus is at the beach, my desk and in church. They are my familiar spots where I can just go and know that He is always there waiting.
Jenni – How much does God love you? A LOT!!!! – He moved you to a place where the beach is at your front door – He loves you so much, He gave you your hearts desire to have your most favorite place to spend with Him also the place you now live!!! Thanks for sharing your favorite spots with us
My favorite place to be with Jesus is in my backyard surrounded by flowers and birds at the bird feeders!
Kim – your favorite spot sounds absolutely wonderful!
As you could probably guess, my favorite place is my screened porch. You are so right in what you said about there being no condemnation from Jesus when we seek Him again after a time of neglect. He is always with us and always waiting to speak to us. Being with Him is the best place to be but that is so easily forgotten when we become too busy. Thanks for sharing your vision and the photo from my yard 🙂
Patti – Yes, your porch is my favorite spot to be when I am visiting you, so I did guess it was your favorite place. Yes, He is always waiting to speak to us!! Thank you for taking the time to take a picture for me and sharing your photo with me to use on my blog 🙂
Praise God that He is with us always, inviting us to sit still and listen to His still, small voice! may we always hear His call. Thank you for the beautiful post! Linked up with you at Still Saturday — hope you’ll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
God bless,
Laurie
Amen Laurie – may we Always hear His call! Thank you for stopping and yes, I will head on over to your site for a visit right now. 🙂 Blessings
I love these words today! Jesus is never an indulgence He is a necessity. Amen! Starting our day with God and slowing down to fit Him will give us all the time we need to get our to do lists finished. Blessed you shared this at The Weekend Brew.
Mary – Thank you for stopping by from The Weekend Brew! Yes, you are so right when you make time for Him – you always have enough time for all the other things on your list- its great how God works it out that way. Blessings to you 🙂
The sad reality is that we’re always busy and if we’re not we look for something to be busy with that spending a time with God is almost a last resort.
This is enlightening. A beautiful reminder to always prioritize Him.
Lux, thank you for stopping by. Yes, sadly it is true that often spending time with God is almost a last resort, or second thought. He is faithful though to always remind us to prioritize. Blessings.
So beautifully written, Debbie.
So thankful that He’s always there…waiting…eager to refresh us.
It might sound kind of sterile, but I love reading from my desk. I leave my Bible open on my desk all the time. I read in the mornings, but sometimes throughout the day, when I have a few free minutes, I’ll read more. I also enjoy taking my Bible out to the porch, and soaking in a little Jesus with my sun. 🙂
So happy to have found you today via the Monday’s Musings linkup.:)
~ Best to you ~
Brenda – thanks for stopping by! I love that you leave your Bible open on your desk for those moments when you can sit and read for a minute or two – that is such a great idea, and not sterile at all. Have a very blessed day and I am so glad you found me today too 🙂 Blessings to you!
It is so easy to get busy and have a hard time settling and focusing on Christ. Lovely post today.
Thank you Ginger
Love this post and how He beckons us to come sit awhile. My favorite place is my recliner with a hot cup of coffee.
Stephanie – that sounds very relaxing and a wonderful place to sit a while with Jesus. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
I love this post! Thanks for your courage in writing about God’s voice. And thanks for sharing this at Grace at Home–I’m featuring you this week!
Richella -WOW, what an honor, thank you so much for stopping by and also for featuring me this week! I am extremely blessed.
Hi Debbie…I came from Richella’s. Wonderful post and I feel closest to God when I am at the beach. I can’t get there often and I do have a chair where I read where I feel the closest. Thank you for sharing something we all need to be reminded of…slow down and rest in peace with Jesus.
Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂 I love that you have 2 spots – one that is in your home close and everyday and one that is at the beach. I love the beach and how it speaks to me of Gods power. Both of your places are perfect for resting and spending time with Jesus. I hope you will come back and visit again. Blessings.