• Photo-synthesis

    Finding Peace Right Where You Are

    Nature has a way of quieting the noise of the world.

    The birds chirping outside.

    The gentle falling of the rain.

    The sound of the waves as you walk along the beach.

    It is hard to describe how almost instantly that sound calms my spirit.

    Standing by the ocean brings me such peace.

    Maybe it is because during these times I pause to listen and let my worries go.

    I can’t always get to the beach, lovely as that would be, to find that peace.

    But there is another place I have access to every day.

    No car ride or flights required.

    It’s in His Presence.

    A place where I can sit and calm the storms in my mind.

    It is the place where I know I can always find peace and restoration.

    “Don’t fret or worry.
    Instead of worrying, pray.
    Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
    ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

    Friend, if you want to experience His peace today, take the time to sit with Him for a while.

    He is always near.

  • Devotions

    Remaining Close to God in a World Pulling You Away

    “But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,

    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.“

    Psalm 73: 28 (NIV)

    Walking the dogs is something my husband and I enjoy. Our 5 pound Morkie, Max, comes with me. Our son’s 80 pound black lab, Dallas, is John’s responsibility. I know that I will not have enough strength to control him.  Ready with his new harness and 26 foot retractable leash, proudly purchased by my husband, we set out.  I watch as the two of them walk ahead. Dallas is easily distracted by the sights and the smells around the neighborhood, using almost all of the lead that my husband has provided.  John remarks that Dallas should stay closer to him.  Why would he remain close with all of that freedom?

    My anxiety rose each time Dallas got too far away from my husband.  

    Similarly, my anxiety increases each time I get too far from God.

    But our God does not go anywhere.  I am the one who is easily distracted by the world around me.  I am the one who pulls away.  Like Dallas, I am given the freedom to move or stay.  Our Father’s desire is for us to remain close to Him.  Just like I’m not strong enough to control Dallas, I cannot rely on my own strength to keep me away from the pull of the world.  I need to remain close to the Father.  Spending time with Him not only brings me strength, but also guidance as I move about my day.  

    Each day I wake up, I have a choice. I can start the day giving my full attention to the One who fills me or to a world that often drains me.  Finding quiet time in prayer and in the Word allows me to reflect on His many blessings. Even Jesus needed to spend time alone with the Father. He removed himself from the crowds to simply be in His Father’s presence. Beginning the day with the gift of peace that only comes from spending time with Him strengthens me to face whatever lies ahead. 

    Remaining close means being intentional.  Being still before the busyness begins.  My mind often races when I awake thinking of my to do list.  There are many days I reach for my phone before I reach for my Bible.  Maybe this sounds familiar.  But each day, I try again to start with being quiet. Gratefully, God is always there waiting with open arms.  Our God never moves.  He simply waits for us to be still.   

    Read Genesis 3:1-13 (NIV). Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the Garden of Eden, but were distracted by the one thing that they could not have.  What distracts you from spending time in His presence?  Ask for His strength to help you remain close to Him.

    What pulls you away from God?  What routines can you change to make space for Him? Friends, the most important relationship we will ever have is with our Heavenly Father. 

    Tune out the distractions of the world and sit for a while with Him.  How good it is to be near our God!