I live in a Los Angeles suburb with a small-town feel. You can’t enjoy a latte at Classic Coffee without seeing someone you know. But for all the quaint charm, I often feel achingly overwhelmed.
Life presses from all sides. I can’t seem to keep track of Little League schedules or who to drop where or when. I run to Walmart and remind myself to breathe in the congested aisles when fluorescent lights flicker and I start to feel drifty and can’t remember what’s on my list.
I live a beautiful, ordinary, busy life, but it sometimes leaves me feeling wrung out. I’m a sensitive person, and the incessant lights and noise and hustle make my soul weary. I struggle to stay connected to God and others when all I want to do is retreat into a quiet cocoon.
And God isn’t surprised. Instead, He invites me away. He beckons me to the trail. Just five minutes from our house sits a beautiful canyon. Tall pines, oaks with twisted branches, and lush ferns line the trail. I let my husband and sons walk ahead. I enjoy their laughter and banter. Then I block it out and listen to the insects I can’t see and the rustle of the breeze playing in the trees.
Here I don’t have to remember to breathe. I don’t have to check anything off a list or battle the busyness. Here I feel close to God. Praise and prayer pour out of my soul as my feet pad the trail. I remember that my weariness is welcomed and the God of the canyon is also Lord of my life.
When life is too loud or too rushed . . .
When you feel surrounded but all alone . . .
God knows.
He invites you to breathe. On a park bench, a sandy shore, or a shady trail, find a way to spend a little time in the beauty He made. Surely, you’ll find yourself praising His name.
“Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Sing to the Lord; praise His name.
Each day proclaim the good news that He saves. “
Psalm 96:1–2 NLT
Today’s devotion comes from our book, 100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle. And it’s not too late to join our Summer Study! Find all the details here, or just head over to the Facebook group to jump in! Still need a copy of the book? Grab yours at DaySpring.com, Amazon, or your fave book retailer.
We all need daily reminders that God is real and He cares about our struggles. His comfort, support, and strength are available in abundance. Let this be the summer you experience Him like never before.
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I have a mental picture of you even in those moments of refreshment in nature with God taking Jen’s advice from yesterday of cranking up Celebration & celebrating God’s victory in all His kingdom! We truly are never alone even in our withdrawal to refresh spots. Praise & celebrate our Redeemer! Blessings y’all! (((0)))
We are never alone. Amen!
Praise the LORD indeed! Nature is amazing when life gets too hard.
INDEED! I’m with you, Madeline.
Amen! I never feel closer to God than when I’m surrounded by His creation in nature.
Me too, Gail! I hope you get some time to soak in the Creator’s beauty this weekend.
I relate to some of the things you shared, but for different reasons. I am 77 years old and living in a subdivision in the busiest part of a city in Texas. We had to move here from a quiet and peaceful place in the country 10 years ago. My stepdaughter and her son lived with us for 15 years. They moved out last year. While I love them, we are left with a house (not our own) too big for just my husband and I. I broke my right hip and femur last year and suffer with a back condition which is debilitating. It would take a miracle from the Lord to move. Being in south Texas it is now too hot to even go outside. I also suffer with seasons of depression and anxiety. Quite frankly it is all overwhelming at times and feel like a prisoner in this place. I get so lonely. I am blessed with a wonderful husband who has to do so much. But, with all that I pray daily for him, our family and neighbors. We had to leave our church where we had served faithfully for 25 years because it gradually became very condemning and controlling. We have looked for another church home but to no avail. Plus I am unable to stand or even sit for more than a few minutes. We live solely on our social security. We look to the Lord for everything and He provides. I would be so grateful to anyone for prayer for our precious Lord Jesus to make a way for us. I know nothing is impossible for Him. I accept His will in all things for He is faithful always. God’s blessings to you all!!
Donna, my heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry for your suffering. I am asking the Waymaker and Miracle Worker to do what only He can… to provide physical healing for your back, to break the chains of depression, to bring you and your husband to a life-giving church family, and to meet every need you have as you rely on His love and strength moment by moment. In Jesus’s name!
Thank you Becky so very much! I am so grateful!
Becky I love what you wrote in today’s reading. Because I struggle with things in my life. Especially when my Dad’s carer is of on Holiday. I do my Dad’s Home Help for him he is 83. Monday to Friday. When his carer is of. I am asked to extra for my Dad then. By my sister’s as they say we have to do it when his carer is of on Holiday do extra for our Dad. As if his carer not on Holiday take him out does things with my Dad I get on with doing his house. Like shopping or to meet his friends. Any Hospital appointments or Doctors he has she will take our Dad. As my Dad don’t drive any more. Plus make his lunch. I suffer seizures. I find if I get tired. Over the days doing extra. Especially if have to extra when his carer of on Holiday. If asked to by sister’s. I find doing his Home help the tidying of his House enough as I get tired. I find in times like this if ask to do extra. My sister’s at work they go at night to see our Dad. So I have to say for my health I can only do so much extra but not that much for my health. God has told me only do what you can do and what you can cope with. Sometimes I do to much extra because I feel I have too when the carer of on Holiday. My Husband says Dawn your only human you have to look after yourself and your health. Doing your Dad’s Home Help the tidying of his House enough or tiny bit extra. But not to much. As I have in past done too much extra. I feel I have to because he my Dad and his carer not about. Then got over tired and days later taken seizures but over done it. God knows my struggles in this. I not good as saying sorry can only do a tiny bit extra after doing our Dads Home help each day Monday to Friday. What you wrote in today’s reading spoke to Becky. Thank you. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
I feel the same way Becky. Meeting my Creator in his creation soothes my soul while the hustle and bustle of shopping (expecially Walmart) sap me.
Dear Becky,
I enjoy your devotionals so much & can relate with living in the country & seeing friends at stores or restaurants. We live in Central California & also have many hiking trails by the hills or beaches. I have a bad back & unable for right now to even walk but we take short walks in our neighborhood & are thankful for that. I’m having a procedure on the 24th that will relieve my pain for hopefully 3 months & we’ll be celebrating our 50th Anniversary on July 7th! Hard to believe so many years have passed. I am 69 years old & my husband is 72. I was raised in a Jewish home & became a Christian at 16 years old. I’m so thankful that God opened my eyes to His wonderful gift of salvation, giving me His Holy Spirit & blessing me with my amazing also Christian husband who is 1/2 Jewish too! We have 3 grown children, 2 boys & 1 daughter. My oldest son runs Life Camp, this is a Christian Camp for children 3rd grade – 8th. He’s been doing this since he was 20 years old. We’ve had our trials over the years but so thankful that God is with us & guiding us along the way. Lord bless you Becky & feel if you lived nearby we’d be friends! I love your devotionals so much & your love for the Lord.
Becky,
I live in a small town, but still feel overwhelmed at times. All the noise from work-(clerical in a hospital unit)-, the traffic, rushing around to get stuff done in 3 days (weekend) before a long 4 days come back. For me a simple break to watch TV or listen to Christian music is what I need to calm down. God has blessed me with gorgeous mountains to look at outside my home. Thankful that God understands my periods of frustration & tiredness.
Blessings 🙂