Last evening’s walk would have only been more perfect if you could have joined me.
It was a beautiful evening. I would have welcomed your company, and would have delighted in pointing out the highlights of what I normally get to experience out there on our gravel road.
The sun. The long, late-day shadows. The blue sky scattered with wispy clouds. The cornfield-lined road. The familiar train whistle in the distance. And, the occasional passing car spinning up dust from its tires.
(The dust I could happily do without.)
I can almost guess what would have filled our conversation as we walked and talked and shared about life. We would have had plenty to catch up on over two miles. It would have been great, wouldn’t it have??
But last night it was just God and me out there.
I thanked Him for the beauty He allowed me to behold. My, it was amazing! I conversed with Him about my day, my family, my hopes, my dreams, my future. I also asked Him what you and I needed to read today for our Woman to Woman Wednesday segment.
“Father God, do we need to be reminded of your love? Your grace? Your very real presence in our lives?”
“Do we need to read of your approval of us, your daughters? Do we need to remember how special each one of us is?”
“Or maybe, you want to encourage us to keep doing what we’re doing?”
I listened with my heart while I walked.
Beginning to wonder if He heard me, I recalled yesterday’s post, and was quickly reminded God most certainly hears us. Approaching our driveway, I lifted my eyes again to the west. Vibrant oranges, golds, pinks, and purples began to appear across the horizon as the sun set. The scene stopped me in my tracks.
“Be still,” filled my heart. “Be still.”
And so I was.
Through the sunset (pictured above), God answered me.
Someone today needs to be reminded to “be still.” One translation says, “Let go of your concerns.” Another says, “Cease striving.” I think that someone might be me. Could this be for you too?
The most important thing you and I can do today is to “be still” in God’s presence. To stop. To shut off the world. To pause, listen with our heart, and rest in Him.
The demands of our day will pull us in the opposite direction. The rhythm of life beats against the rhythm of lingering with God. It’s sometimes a battle to be still. But friend, don’t give in. Be still, anyway. Time alone with God gives us what we need for every moment of every day. It renews us, refreshes us, revives us.
I imagine we would have stood there in awe, being still and soaking in the view together. It would have been incredible sharing it with you.
The above photo will have to do for now.
I’m lifting you in prayer today, dear sister, and am being still with you.
Sending hugs your way,
Julie
(Wednesdays are our days to encourage one another, woman to woman. I’d love to read your thoughts below as you encourage other women here. I sure appreciate you stopping by today! God bless you!)
Linking up with #ThreeWordWednesday at Simply Beth‘s, #woman2woman at Meredith Bernard‘s & #coffeeforyourheart at Holley Gerth‘s.
What a gorgeous sunset! And that is my verse of the year. Be still and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10. Yesterday I received prayer for inner healing and I am still processing the experience. I am feeling unburdened and refreshed. But so many thoughts are still flying around in my head. So, I can use the reminder. Thank you.
Kim, I love that verse too. How wonderful it’s your verse of the year! So happy to read you received prayer yesterday. God is blessing you with peace and healing. We all need reminders. At least I do! Thank you for sharing today. It’s a joy to have you here! God bless you!
Being still seems harder to do so many days. BUT…it is the best and most important thing we can possibly do for God is waiting for us to do just that. Your walk looks lovely and I would have enjoyed such a beautiful sunset and walk along the cornfields. I placed myself there and sensed a bit of the journey with you. Thanks for inviting us along, but glad you and God had the time alone. : )
Glad you came by Being Woven/Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. And thanks for the encouragement and compliment, Julie.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Linda, it was a precious time, just God and me. I usually walk on my own for that reason. I cherish those walks! But it sure would have been nice to have company too. 🙂 So glad we can connect through our blogs! God has a way of blessing us through others, as He blessed me through you today. I appreciate you and your heart. Keep sharing your story and your love for Him, friend!
This is absolutely beautiful Julie! And I was on a walk and witnessed the same sunset and colors! Incredible!
It has been laden on my heart lately as well listening to some of my sisters in Christ expressing that ‘they are not worthy’….. oh my, how sad when our heavenly Father created us! How could our loving, heavenly Father, the creator of our being EVER think that we are not worthy? Why would he send his ONLY begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and our Savior to make a way for us to be with Him? Is our sinful nature deserving? No! But are we worthy, ABSOLUTELY!!!! Thank You Abba Father, Thank You Jesus!!!!
Oh yes, and BE STILL and let him fill your heart with your worthiness so that you can bring blessing and joy to others!
Amen, Jenni! I wrote a post not that long ago about exactly what you wrote here. We are worthy because He is worthy. Amen! This verse is powerful to so many. So glad you were able to see the same sunset and colors last night. What a gift! It was great seeing you today, too. Looking forward to serving alongside of you this year in BSF!! Thanks for stopping by and sharing here today.
stopping by from Holley Gerth’s place and so glad I got to see the beauty of your walk. My scenery is very similar and I am forever hearing God’s voice in the sunsets, wild animals and scenery!!
It’s always good to be reminded to be still!!
Blessings to you!
Hi Julie! It’s good to meet you! God’s creation proclaims His glory, doesn’t it?! Thank you for stopping in today and for sharing here. May God bless you as you’ve blessed me!
So beautiful, Julie. Walking and talking with a friend is one of my favorite things to do. And when we are out walking alone, God is always with us and speaks to us. Thanks for sharing with us your special time with the Lord. And the beautiful sunset sky He painted to end your day.
Hi Sabra! Yes, God is always with us and speaks to us. So thankful He does! Praying your day is blessed, dear friend! It’s always a joy to have you here. Hugs to you today!
Hi! Visiting from the woman2woman linkup! Love your Scripture-filled and life giving post! 🙂
Hi Darby! It’s good to meet you! Thank you for coming by today. Blessings on your day!
Gorgeous photos, Julie. And since I now know we are only 4 hours apart from one another I will need to make a trip to join you for a walk. Looks lovelier than Chicago. I do love Chicago but I really want to join you on THAT walk.
Thank you for this beautiful encouragement too. May we take time daily to be still with Him.
Much love.
xoxo
You are ALWAYS welcome here, Beth! Would love to have you join me for a walk! What fun we would have! Maybe we could meet in the middle somewhere too?? Thank you for your encouragement here. I love Three Word Wednesday. Thanks for hosting it each week! Hugs to you, friend!
Yes! A meet in the middle would totally work. Let’s figure out something maybe for 1st quarter of next year. Too bad we didn’t figure this out sooner. I totally would have made the full four hour drive this summer. But God’s timing. xoxo
I agree, Beth! I questioned, “Why didn’t I think of this sooner??” Yes, God’s timing. We’ll stay in touch about this. In the meantime, just focus on you, your trip and your husband when he arrives home. 🙂 Praying God blesses you immensely in the weeks to come!
What a beautiful end to beautiful time spent with God last night! I love your road and would love to join you on it sometime. Those are the best times, aren’t they? When it’s just us and him and we can be still long enough to see and hear from Him? Yes! Thank you for this reminder and beautiful photos to go along with it. Truly awesome. Hugs from here…xoxo, mb
I would love to walk with you on our road sometime too, Meredith! It’s beautiful out here. Life in the country is pretty sweet, as you already know! Thank you for hosting Woman2Woman each week. Always a gift to me. Hugs from here too!
Julie — What a beautifully captured sunset, and reminder through to be still. I love that you went on a walk with God. Thank you for this reminder, this permission to just be!
Blessings!
Thank you, Jamie. It was a pretty incredible time with God! I think I need that reminder the most these days. Thank you for stopping in and for sharing here. Blessings to you!
Amazing pictures! That must be what heaven looks like. Well, that and a beach. 🙂
I have been reminded lately to be still, and it has been great. I feel refreshed and closer to God.
Yes, I agree Sarah… with a beach! So glad you’re being still. Sometimes it’s hard to do! Thanks for coming by and sharing!