Have you ever gone off into “the wilderness” just to relax and clear your head? I have and I still do! Many years ago, when I was considering the house and property where we live, I had hesitated on making an offer – mainly because life was so hectic at the time. After I had looked at the house three times and still had not made an offer, the real estate agent told me that the seller said I had to either make an offer or stop looking at the house! Even though it had been an extremely stressful day, I told the agent that I hadn’t looked at the property – especially the woods yet, and asked if I could stop by later that day and walk through the woods. The agent said the seller agreed, so later that day I ventured out into that beautiful forest for the first time. As I wandered through all the wonderful sights, sounds and even smells of the forest, I began to feel the stress of the day “melt away”! It only took about an hour for me to know what I needed to do, I called that agent and made an offer, the seller accepted it and here we are!
Mark 6:31 (TLB) Then Jesus suggested, “Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.” For so many people were coming and going that they scarcely had time to eat.
Now, let’s fast-forward to present day 2024 and the same wilderness that has been such a place of peace and serenity to me, has become a giant “playground” for our grandchildren!
Ruth and I made trails through all the woods and surrounding area to have a place to ride the golf carts, bicycles and to hike. Well, leave it to kids to find a way to make things even more fun! They love going back there on either the golf carts or bikes and playing a made-up game they call “missing man”…a modern version of “hide and seek”! It’s fun to see them enjoying the wilderness in a new way that I never would have dreamed of.
Isaiah 43:19 (GNT) “Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already – you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.”
So, the wilderness can offer us a variety of things. It can help us find Relaxation from the stresses of life. It can help us find Restoration from grief and sorrow. It can help us Refocus our priorities in life, because sometimes we need to pause and think about what is most important in our lives. And then as the kids will always point out, the wilderness can offer us a place to find Recreation – because they can always show us new and exciting ways TO PLAY! Let’s try to find ways to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with loved ones while we can.
Till Next Time…..
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