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Is it in that picture hung on the freshly painted wall?  Or is it in that work project that seemed to take forever but is done?  Is it that clean sink just scrubbed to look like new?  Is it crossing a finish line in a much anticipated race?  Perhaps it is found in that prized car so desperately longed for. Or in the face of a newborn child?  Maybe it is in that newly wed spouse or the one that has been around for decades now. Is it the house?  The sunrise?  The sunset?  A fresh bouquet of flowers?  That new outfit complete with the perfect accessories?  That dish you just prepared that is tantalizingly beautiful and delicious. A song. A poem. A book. Physical attributes. Intelligence. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. 

Where is it found?  

Can it be found anywhere?

Is it known at the diagnosis of a disease?  Can it exist as a coffin is lowered in the ground as thoughts of continuing seem impossible in that moment?  Is it in a hospital bed with needles and cords and beeps of life hanging on?  Is it in the uncertainty of tomorrow when the struggle just seems too great?  Is it in the anger of knowing abuse?  Is it in the death of another unborn child because it just wasn’t wanted?  Can it possibly exist in a nation torn and ripped and bleeding to death from an election?  

Oh!  It can be found in all of those places. Because it isn’t situations, circumstances, things, or people that cause it to exist. Not an election. Not an abortion. Not abuse. Not the sunrise nor the sunset. Not flowers or landscapes. Not family or friends or enemies. Neither drugs nor alcohol can bring it into being. 

It is only found in the depth of knowing God. To sit still and quiet just to hear silence. In the silence the listening echoes only Him. Removing all hindrances. Draining life’s battles so that all is left is all that is important. 

Realizing the worries of yesterday are minuscule and ridiculous. And isn’t the worry of the MINUScule the subtraction of joy. That equation doesn’t add up. 

To live with the contentment of knowing God both in the depths of silence and in the chaos of life’s freeway of hills and valleys and bumps and crashes is the longing of my soul. He brings contentment. Only Him. 

https://bonniejmartin.com/2016/11/05/49/

She came out of the trees at a slow trot seemingly to greet me but my fear kicked in. She crossed the ditch and came toward me with a low growl. My fear remembered the unpredictability of the unknown. 

How can I mourn for her?  The finality which appears before my eyes is based upon what I can see.  What experience do I have that causes me to think any tears I shed are for her?  I can’t claim experience of where she enters.  I have faith that place deserves no mourning. 

Heads slowly raised and she spoke the words we all had experienced.  The words were not spoken with irreverence but exultation from that which she experienced.  “I felt the Holy Spirit.”

Drawing into the place of worship where no outside influence can penetrate.

Because God is Holy.

Sacredness in a small country building that congregates His church.

Women bowing heads and holding hands postured so that He can do what only He can.

Laying aside chaos for peace.

Replacing turmoil with comfort.

Recognizing in that very moment our position of sitting at the feet of the One to be adored.

Because He first loved us and showed us what love is.

Because He is love.

Warrior princesses baring hearts.  He stirred us.  Because we desired it.

Because He desired it.

He said it out loud. Unexpected but anticipated. The words matched the situation but how could he know. He spoke reality without even knowing the situation. To have it recorded would do it much better justice. 

Forty-four for me. 49 for him. The girl has had 22 so far. One boy has had almost 18 and the other 9. The union that started this has counted nearly 25. 

I know she is loved. She left the house this morning in anticipation of enjoying the love of good friends. In two short months she will be leaving the house to go to her own house. The house she will share with the one God has chosen for her. 

So there she goes. She changed my life twenty-two years ago and now it is changing again. I send a little piece of me with her.  Enjoy!

The desire to fellowship with God can be overwhelming. In the moment of pure devotion all obstacles to worship become great annoyances. Your heart yearns to explosion for Almighty God. Nothing else can satisfy and any intrusions are unwelcome and demand to be snuffed out. All things become trivial in the Light of Him. He is exalted and is magnificent. The cares of the world become so insignificant.  Pure worship. Nothing else matters. Nothing else but Him. Praise to God. Honor and glory are His. He places life in dry bones. He breathes life where death had been. His resuscitation is eternal.  Know that He holds the power of life and death. Be still and worship Him. Bask in His Presence. He delights in you. He sings over you. His love endures forever. 

It isn’t very often that I sit and do absolutely nothing. 

So I sit in the shade with an occasional breeze passing over me and I hear the birds and the quiet. All three kids are enjoying someone else’s house at the moment and the builder of swing and planter of tree is off doing his preparations for hunting season already. So I sit alone. Ah!  Quiet. No beckoning mama!!

What does one do who doesn’t sit still and quiet very often?  There is always something to read or wash or put away or repair.  Can I really sit here and be still for at least a little while?

Yes, I will sit here. But I can’t help but think of those that have given time, blood and even life to allow me this freedom. I consider the Creator that gave the assurance of rest. I consider my Savior that gave me Himself. I will be still and know Him. 

And when it is time to get up and get moving again, I will be thankful for this time. I will be thankful that during this time there were no worries or fears. 

Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?29 And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.