Porch Swing Retreat
One of my favorite prayer and meditation locations is my old-fashioned porch swing. Often I do too much of the talking and not enough listening when I visit with God, so during this time of refreshing I just try to quiet my thoughts to get in touch with God's will for my life at this point in my journey.
During a recent quiet time, my eyes settled on an old church pew, which also shares the porch space. It has cobwebs on it and plywood sitting atop the seat. I peaked underneath the plywood-covered worn seat. The pew was intact! It just needed refinishing. Perhaps God brought that to my mind to show me a picture of myself. The pew has served God in the past, faithfully. But there it sits, covered up and gathering dust. Am I? How does God wish to refinish me for His use in days to come?
My legs pumped the swing higher and higher as my prayers went up, up, up to Heaven. I caught a glimpse of red flash by. A beautiful cardinal. I watched as he soared over tall bushes, and swooped over the high grasses. When he finally settled on the ground, the grass and twigs obscured him. Almost hidden really.
This nature lesson also spoke to me. When I'm grounded because of my selfishness, I'm not as beautiful in His sight. I'm designed to "fly," not to sit! I should rest, eat, and then, FLY!
I might not be as far-gone as the pew, or as grounded as that redbird, but Oh, how God spoke to me in the quietude. My porch swing retreats are designed to renew my spirit so I’m prepared for a new day to serve Him.
Prayer: Prepare me to soar and lift me up to the higher purposes You have for my life.
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint,” Isaiah 40:31 KJV.
Today’s devotion is by Kathy Carlton Willis, wife to Russ, pastor’s wife to many, author, editor, publicist and speaker. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions. Learn more at: http://kcwcomm.blogspot.com/ or http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/.
