Rest and Peace...

Our church building program being completed means we could finally take a little vacation.

I could tell the Hubs really, really needed it.

The stress and pressure of the building project, some health issues he's dealing with, and a couple of situations of people in crisis in our church had taken its toll on him, and on me too.

We usually go out of state and get away for a couple of weeks during the summer, but with us being well in to September our usual plans just didn't work out.

So, we took just 5 days off and drove just 80 miles from our home to the sea.

The weather was lovely, the beach cottage we rented was cute and cozy, but, unfortunately, true rest and peace seemed to escape us.

Phone calls, hurting people, the stress followed us there.

By day three, things quieted down and we started to relax, but in the blink of an eye it was day five and time to go home.

More stress waited for us when we got home.

I hit a wall of frustration on Saturday and tossed and turned all night.

Then, I went to church and standing there worshipping I caught a glimpse of the greatness of our God, confidence in His ability to handle it all returned, and I rolled the burdens and stress onto His shoulders, and peace and rest came into my mind and heart.

Now that's something to be thankful for.

************************

I’ve taken the Joy Dare.

I’m counting one thousand thanks in one year.

I hunt for thanksgiving using the prompts Ann gives us each month.

If you are interested in joining in, click the link above or at the bottom of this post.

I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little black journal…

#2289-#2309

3 gifts moving-

-ocean waves

-me trying to do my 5K training run in the sand

-walking instead

3 hard eucharisteos-

-on our little mini-vacation, phone calls from home about church stuff, that robbed us of real rest

-my second born daughter, son-in-law and grandkids clear across the country after having them here for a month

-things that try to steal my peace and joy

3 gifts in His Word-

-Proverbs 31:18

-Proverbs 31:25

-Psalm 103:4

a gift scented-

-the smell of the Hubs sautéing sausage and onions to put in an omelette for our breakfast

a gift scrawled-

-some ink and watercolor journaling I'm attempting

a gift started-

-decorating the house for fall, even though we're still having very summerish weather

3 gifts drawn-

-a football player drawn for Papa by our only grandson

-a picture of ocean waves for me by our oldest granddaughter

-various circles and squiggles drawn by our 3 year old granddaughter

3 gifts paired-

-new running shoes

-my 55 year old legs that can still run

-the Hubs and I, (paired for over 36 years)

3 gifts shared-

-our king size bed

-the responsibility and work of our church's children's ministry shared with a great team

-sub sandwiches shared at an after church meeting

Gratefully yours,

Elizabeth