PUSH BACK AND TAKE A LOOK!

Often life is so busy, hectic at times that sitting still is foreign. On those moments that I do decide to still my mind, breathe deeply and just relish being, there's a "sweet spot" that provides solace for my weary state. Friends do you have such a place? There's a sanctuary that I have carved out on my sun porch. It's really not that obvious. My plaid pull-out sofa bed that one can't easily bounce off of is nestled strategically near the window. It's seen better days, but does it ever lend itself for great snoozing, reading and writing!  I often retreat there when I allow myself! It's my sacred space for my literary escapes. When no one is around I retreat there and enjoy time alone. The alone time is time well spent, truly a gift from God. This sanctuary reminds me of being with a trusted friend who's there when needed.

When I sat down on the sofa today I quickly realized it had been much too long-listening, awakening my spirit with the deeper things of life. The space allows me time for renewal. When I unlock the doors to the sun porch and don't just peak in or "straighten-up" before long my spirit retreats and reflects. This often results and mushrooms into a glorious nap, reaching for a magazine or novel awaiting me, creating an overdue blog post, reading or writing my devotionals, praying, singing or gazing out the window and marveling at nature.  In those instances I am smiling, noticing what I've overlooked and/or applauding the subtle shifts in the seasons. Normally I push the drapes on both sides of the sliding glass windows allowing for a little sunlight. Depending on where I'm seated I can only see tree branches or a section of the banister deck. There is only a mere view of the green outdoors if I settle for that. Occasionally if I want the feeling of the outdoors inside my space I fold the drapes up and over the curtain rod.  With this simple maneuver the room is transformed and exposes beautifully the top of the swing set, the neighbor's flowering hedges, the fascinating birds, butterfly's fluttering and the climbing vines wrapped around the tree trunks. Visually it's stunning, even startling and it really exposes a sweet tranquility that resuscitates my soul. And then friends it's crystal clear why I seem to have been bombarded with so many distractions unable to re prioritize and take a moment to push back, take an introspective look and just breathe! 

Today, God orchestrated that I would be open to Him, His instructions. I grabbed my laptop and cell phone, snapped photos, wrote what was on my heart, opened the windows and heard nature's songs in their full chorus. I whispered my thanks givings, because  God knows when the windows are open there's no reason for shouting! And I would like to think that God gave me the bright idea to lift the curtains over the rod no matter how uneven they would appear! It's simply another divine opportunity to push back and take a look. My heart was receptive!  

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Transformed by the Love of God, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) The Blessedness of Believing  A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

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