2009 has been a challenging year for our family. Kim's dad and mine each nearly died. Dad Jones was in a Pennsylvania hospital for a month in January, and my father spent five weeks in a Richmond hospital. Then our son Coby had his open heart surgery in May/June. I had become very depressed and didn't even feel like going to church. I stopped communicating with even my closest friends.
A friend invited me to spend a week in the Outerbanks. I had never been there, and the house she rented was fabulous! I was fortunate to have a suite on the oceanfront. Every morning I was "up with the chickens" and watched the sunrise from my private deck. I walked along the beach and enjoyed the peaceful, healing sound of the waves and the shore meeting each other. Tiny little sand crabs peeked out of their holes as I went by. Pelicans swooped from the air to catch a fish for breakfast, and dolphins leaped gleefully, beckoning me to come play with them. Sandpipers and seagulls paired off in their symbiotic relationship for a never-ending meal time.
One of the most remarkable things I witnessed was a group of tiny dragonflies driving away a batch of HUGE cicadas. Thanks to the dragonflies, we were spared the sound and sight of those other, annoying insects for the entire week.
My friend and I spent a lot of time in the pool, and one morning as we chatted (wearing our sunglasses against the glare), a little dragonfly flew right over the pool and just hovered, examining us. Do you suppose he thought we were giant flies? He fought off two other dragonflies (My friend and I think they were his "mother" and "father"!) to stay with us and observe.
I know that all of these experiences were sent by our heavenly Father to drift like sand through the holes in my heart and to fill me with His grace and peace. I am healing now because of His great love.
By Lin Jones
Lin, thank you for this lovely post reminding us how great is our God! At so many trying times in my life, I have found unsurpassed peace and healing after removing myself from life's troubles to bask in our Father's creation. I am confident that when He created each detail of nature, He had us in mind.
ReplyDeleteClean air, calming whoosh of the waves, and even funny little dragonflies can bring us to a place of peace and contentment.
Thank you so much for sharing Lin. I have found that when my batteries need some recharging it helps to just get away from the routine. Maybe staying in bed all day reading a book, or I try and go visit friends that I have not seen for some time. Just a change of pace can remind us of the beauty and strength we can find in God.
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