Reach For Stars
This morning I got up to take a walk around a man-made lake in a park. It was early morning because I wanted to catch the sunrise. There has always been something special about sunrises for me. The peaceful quiet. The serenity. The majesty.
I needed that desperately.
That morning, the weight on my shoulders pushed down into my stomach. The thought of a tranquil walk at sunrise and listening to worship music blossomed in my mind. Alone time with my Lord was exactly what I needed.
I marveled in wonder at the rising sun as I stood there allowing the warmth to saturate my body and spirit. After a few minutes I began to walk, hoping the exercise would diminish the burden on my shoulders. Hoping it would just sweat out of me as I worked hard.
Once around the lake.
Twice around the lake.
The heaviness was still there.
Half way around the lake for a third time, I walked by a playground.
I felt nudged to go swing on the swing set. Really? A middle-aged woman on a swing? You’re funny God. But once I got past my momentary doubt, I eagerly approached the swing.
I hopped on and began pumping my legs. And as I began to swing back and forth I was transported back to my childhood. That feeling of being on a swing and pumping your legs hard because you wanted to reach the stars began to overtake me.
I swung and swung. Higher and Higher.
Closing my eyes and feeling the swinging sensation with a childlike abandonment, my burdens slowly slipped away. A sense of joy filled my spirit, and my face lit up with the biggest smile. And I giggled like a child.
Put down your hard work for a moment.
Come to the Father like a child. Open hearted. Full of wonder. Trusting implicitly.
Find joy.
Take hold of the stars.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
Comments