When You Begin To Fall...

I made it up, over and around. It was low tide just like the local report said. I could've simply headed down the street for a normal beach shot, but an adventurous view was tugging at my heart. 

I sat basking in the warm glow of the setting sun. My tripod strategically placed in the middle of the fluorescent-green moss filled pools, as the sun dipped low beyond the horizon. I carefully climbed my way up a slick ledge above a break in the cliff to capture water shooting through and splashing high. 

I always push myself to areas that may be a bit treacherous attempting to achieve that perfect shot. After a short time, a rogue wave barreled up and over the entire area below. I immediately realized I'd waited a bit too long and my escape route was closing fast. I quickly scanned the ocean to see if another wave was coming. I had but a moment to get down and across the tide pools to safety. I wedged my left foot in a nook and attempted to place my right foot on an area to climb down. I hadn't accounted for the slickness of that particular spot, unaware the wave had reached that high. My foot slid down the ledge, my body following, my leg scraping on the way down, as I pummeled into the sharp, jagged pool below. My knee must've taken the blunt force. It was throbbing and I could barely walk, along with my shin, ankle and foot being pretty sliced up. But I was still in danger, so I forced myself up and hobbled to safety. 

I know, I know...what was I thinking? 

I don't know! 

I sometimes just charge forward and then find myself in deep water. 

Sin is like that, it can be enticing, attractive, misleading in its hidden danger. But when you go to those places you know you're not supposed to, you're bound to fall. 

I'm thankful I was able to walk to safety. I'm thankful I don't appear to have broken anything (pray for my knee-we'll see tomorrow). 

Friends, join me in remembering the next time temptation comes to pray before you act on it. Ask for The LORD's guidance, direction and strength to stay on the right path so you don't lose your secure footing and fall.  

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."~Colossians 2:6-7

Jump on the Thankful Train...what are you thankful for?

I'm Tired!

As the sleepless nights mount up, it takes a toll on me. I'm becoming overly sensitive, easily angered and frustrated. A constant sense of uneasiness floods my usually peaceful mind. Sleep deprivation is wearing me down. Three to four hours a night is not enough!

I have so many things to do, the list in my head seems to continually get longer, I never seem to get caught up.

This morning I had a yoga class (to help the herniated disc in my neck), weight training and a bike ride. As soon as the alarm went off I felt the pressure and stress to get there begin to overwhelm me. I chose to stay in bed. I'm mentally and physically exhausted. As soon as I make the decision, the guilt of skipping out floods my mind. I'm in training for a big memorial hike in honor of my dad. It was a goal he'd set and achieved before his passing from lung cancer. He climbed Mt. Timpanogos in Utah. It's a difficult hike that takes about 4 1/2 hours each way.

I want to be in shape to climb this mountain. However, at the moment, I can't even climb the mountain in front of me....getting to the gym. Sigh...

In the middle of all this mind spinning, I hear the Lord's prompting, "Rest in Me." Sigh. "Rest in ME." 

Can it be that simple?

Closing all the doors, silencing my phone, shutting out the world that never stops calling my name, I enter into the quiet place with the Lord, praying, soaking in His Holy Word. More of HIM, less of this world. Even in my tired state, I feel the restlessness begin to fade away. My breathing slows. My mind stops racing. Right here, right now, I'm choosing to seek the Lord's peace. I need to be filled...stilled....renewed. 

^"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Thank you Jesus for reminding me that time spent with You always fills up my parched soul.