R and R is good for the soul

We've just returned from a week away and boy do we feel good! Every year we try to visit our favorite beaches. Being able to unwind from all the world's stressors is good for the body, mind, and soul. By the time we arrive each year, we realize it's the best medicine we could ever get. 

We've been going to these same areas for over 31 years. During that time, others have discovered the "Forgotten Coast" and it's grown immensely. It's sad to us to see so many new houses, hotels, and other developments because they destroy the wilderness areas we've enjoyed for so long, but I guess that's the price of loose lips. If people had kept the areas secret, the long time residents and visitors would have been able to have kept the pristine beaches quiet. 

We used to spend our summers in Destin years ago but when it became so busy, we moved to a quieter beach in Port St. Joe, Florida - Cape San Blas. It became our favorite until after Hurricane Michael. When that area was decimated and the beaches had to be restored, we moved on down the coast and started staying on St. George Island, a gorgeous beach with sugar white sands, clear blue green waters, and areas of unspoiled beauty. This visit, we noticed it's built up even more than ever before, but there are some secret areas we know about and we're not telling a soul about them. We're hoping to keep those quiet for a few more years or at least until we aren't able to drive down there and enjoy it any longer. 

Cape San Blas Lighthouse

We have so many special family memories in that area. We've taken all of the kids and several of our grandkids. I've made photo albums from each of our trips and I'm so glad I did. As we flip back through the pages, we are reminded of all the love we shared there. 

We especially love visiting 3 lighthouses in that general area: The Cape San Blas lighthouse, the St. George Island Lighthouse, and Crooked River Lighthouse. Something about them is so reassuring and peaceful.  

 I'm so thankful God made the oceans and all the beautiful scenery surrounding them. Every time I sit in front of the water, I look out and think about His Majestic power. The Bible says He set a boundary for the water and it can't cross over. Have you ever thought about that? Yes, the waves was up on the shore for high tide and recede for low tide, but they can't go anywhere He doesn't allow. They stay put and obey the boundaries He's set. To me, that's so cool! And don't get me started on all the other things He gives us to enjoy while at the beach. There are too many species of birds and other wildlife in and around the water. And who could ever count the grains of sand at the beach - only God! There are so many people who don't believe in Him, but the Bible says the heavens declare the glory of the Lord. All you have to do is look around at nature and you realize we have a marvelous Creator who thought of and created every minute detail of everything in the twinkling of an eye. Now that's something we have difficulty understanding but must choose to accept. 

Us in front of SGI lighthouse

 If you've never thought of the beach as restorative, you should. Leave your cares behind and travel to the one nearest you. Sit in the sun and listen to the rhythmic rise and fall of the waves. Watch the shore birds dive for fish. Walk along the sand and pick up a variety of shells - all gifts from the sea and see if it doesn't do something for your heart. Can you tell I love the beach??? I do!!!

I hope you enjoy some of my photos from this trip. I'm only including a few to entice you. It's so important to feed our bodies, our souls, and our spirits. I hope you take good care of yours and make time to get away when you can. Whether you realize it or not, you need it. 

Great Blue Heron

The photo above is of a Great Blue Heron who came and sat in front of us watching the surf. He stayed for the longest time and we enjoyed watching him. We assumed he was looking for fish but never saw him catch anything. They're such majestic birds. Each time we visit SGI, one is always close by. I think they know how much I love to photograph them and that's why then come hang out with me :)

 The photo below is of the sun going down over the bay. Each time we visit this area of the city, I think about my brother who's gone on to be with the Lord. He loved to kayak and fish. He would have enjoyed this area. 

Sunset over the bay

We've had the pleasure of taking a sunset cruise while here and there's nothing like it. Sailing across the water as the sun recedes  and the sky changes colors is heavenly. 

We always hate returning from the beach and coming back to reality, but normally we make plans for a return trip as soon as we get back home. We've thought about moving there, but then it wouldn't be as special. I think we'd get so used to seeing it everyday it would become mundane and we definitely don't want to rob ourselves of the blessing we receive when we visit. 

Crooked River lighthouse

 

This is the Crooked River lighthouse located in Carabelle. There's a great museum there, too. You can learn all about the history of the lighthouse and about how they're used to guide ships. 

Our favorite lighthouse is the St. George Island one. You can climb up to the top and get a great view of the island. The steps are steep but if you've got the ummphf you can do it!

SGI lighthouse

 We witnessed something while on our trip we've never seen before - a controlled burn. It was scary to see the large plumes of smoke rising over the island but apparently they do it several times a year to keep the marsh grass under control. All we could think about was the destruction of many water fowl nests. We'd witnessed several baby chicks crossing the bay the night before and it was so sweet to see and hear them. 

I took this photo at the marina in Appalachicola. The smoke was traveling from that city all the way over to St. George Island.

Season of Rest

Have you ever felt God calling you into a season of rest? For the past several days, I've felt Him speaking to my spirit over and over again reminding me of the importance of resting.

For some time He's tried to teach me this lesson. I haven't learned it well. As a typical type A personality, I'm always going and doing. And after my cancer diagnosis, I really kicked it into high gear, feeling like I'd been given a second chance at life so I'd better not blow it. I wanted to make the most of every second of every day.

From the time I woke up in the morning until the end of the day, I was busy. I'd bounce from one project to the next, feeling like I was doing a great job at not wasting any of the time God had "reallocated" me. I was doing my best to live up to Erma Bombeck's famous quotation: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'."

But soon, I began to feel overwhelmed and burdened. Yes, I was working hard doing things to be productive but there was something lacking.

When chronic insomnia began, I realized being unable to shut off my mind meant it was overstimulated. That's when I felt God nudging me to slow down.

So I tried. I tried limiting my projects. I tried sitting down to read for short periods during the day. I tried turning off notifications on my phone by using the do not disturb feature. I tried and tried and tried, but I wasn't resting.

My sweet husband did his best to encourage me to sit down and watch things on TV with him but I felt it was wasting time, so when I did sit to "watch" with him, I was also doing other things like small sewing projects or reading a book, or writing cards. I couldn't focus on one thing. I began to think I had ADHD.

"What was wrong with me?" I wondered. Something has to give.

So I prayed. I asked God to help me understand the importance of resting.

I looked up one Scripture after another on rest and found that every verse had one thing in common- going to Jesus. He wanted me to come to Him and allow Him to give me rest.

This morning, after doing my morning chores, I felt that still, small voice calling me - today you need to rest. And I wasn't feeling led to just rest physically, but mentally as well.

"Okay, Lord. I will try," I said. And then, I heard, "Don't try, do!" (in Yodaspeak because that's the way my brain works!)

I got a cup of cappuccino, grabbed my Bible, and headed out to the patio. While out there, wouldn't you know that God took me right to Jeremiah 31:25-

"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish." Wow. That hit square between the eyes!

I prayed and asked God to help me learn to rest. And would you believe, I haven't done much of anything today? And I haven't felt guilty about it at all. That's huge for me.

The Bible says, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." If you are willing to admit it, I bet you fall into that category of being weary especially with all that's going on in the world right now. If not, that's wonderful, but more than likely there's something that's weighing you down or stressing you out.

Giving our burdens to God isn't always easy, but He wants us to let Him handle them. I'm preaching to the choir right now, but I hope you'll hear me, too.

If you struggle to rest, listen...the word rest means to cease striving. CEASE. That means stop right now! Learn to just be and know that it's okay to have a chill day. I'm learning and I'm finding it's pretty enjoyable.

Rest and be refreshed. It's good for your body, mind, and spirit.

Mountain Getaway

This past weekend, we had a lovely getaway to the mountains. We always enjoy going to North Georgia at the end of Summer or the beginning of Fall. This year, we went a little earlier than usual, so the trees hadn't started turning yet. It's always so pretty when the bright reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves dot the mountainside with color. Even though the mountains were just covered in greenery, it was still pretty and we enjoyed the peacefulness. It's amazing what going days without hearing any traffic does for the soul. 

If I had my way, we'd live in the mountains in a little log cabin. I've always wanted to live in one and so has my sweet hubby. But as we grow older, we've realized we have to let some of our dreams go and err on the side of practicality. We need to be around family and all of the kids live in the city. 

Next year, we'll be making some big decisions on where we want to be for the remainder of our lives. We have no idea where God will lead us, but we're trusting He's got it all worked out for us. 

It's hard no knowing what the future holds, but really, all we can do is plan and hope things work out, right? I mean "Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht” is an old Yiddish adage meaning, “Man Plans, and God Laughs.” Despite our most careful planning, the Road of Life is unpredictable. I guess that's what makes it so fun!

Sometimes I wonder if God is sitting up ther on His big white throne looking down from heaven watching us like little ants. Of course, He knows what we're going to do before we do it, because He's Omnisicent, but it'd be fun to know how He sees us. Does He sit like a doting Father, hand to forehead thinking, " Oh no! Don't do that!" or "If you only knew what that choice would bring..." Since we have the gift of free will, He doesn't interfere with our choices but Jeremiah 29:11 says He has a good plan for us, to prosper us and not to harm us. 

Growing old is for the birds. I don't like it one bit! My body balks when I get out of bed. Joints and muscles I never noticed before now scream out in pain. When I look in the mirror, I see more gray hairs, more wrinkles, and more saggy skin. Daily I'm reminded this old body is wearing out. 

Sure, I could have taken better care of it when I was in my teens, but who thinks about approaching 70 then? When we're young we think we're immortal, but oh, how quickly time proves us wrong. 

Several of my friends have lost their spouses recently and those losses have caused me to give pause to my own life. What would I do if I suddenly lost my mate? I'd be so lost and lonely I couldn't bear it! I don't even want to think about it, so I'll change the subject now. 

I'm reminded God has numbered my days. I don't know how many He's allotted to me, but my time is in His hands. That's why I'm doing my best to take one day at a time now and enjoy each one to the fullest. It's hard, especially for a long term planner like me, but I'm trying. 

Vacations help slow me down. That's why we try to take one or two a year. When I'm on vacation, I don't think about the day to day routines, I'm more apt to let my hair down and just chill. Believe me, this old body needs to do a whole lot more of that! In fact, it could use being put on ice a few days! 

If you're finding yourself stressing out about daily life, plan a mini vacation. Get way from the daily grind. Find a place of respite and soak in some peace. It will do wonders for you, it surely will.