Refreshing

I had spent the morning biting my tongue from the harshness in my heart resulting from an incredible headache, which, ridiculously enough, all started a month ago when my pillow fell apart in the wash and I was left browsing the aisle at TJ MAXX for one that felt "right". Obviously, I did not choose well and my head and neck remind me of this every morning.
And while I write about our peaceful country life and the joyful mayhem of our home, I am a sinner and get moody and emotional when I don't feel well, which, thankfully, isn't too often and because I am a sinner who daily struggles to live the life I know I should under the blessing of God's grace. None of this life we live is an attempt at goodness or acquiring righteousness on our own, but an attempt to honor God with our lives and through our home and make decisions for our children and family that line up with the principles in His Word.

So, craving quiet, I loaded up kiddos and a picnic lunch and we drove to Root Glen on the campus of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. We hiked the trails for a bit and then I let the kids run on their own and just sat on the stone bench, enjoying the spring warmth and sun and praying for God to heal my tightened muscles and help me keep a quiet and gentle heart.

Being surrounded by God's beauty manifest in nature, by joyful children, all while pouring out my heart to Him, who knows and understands all before I manage a whisper, is the most soothing medicine I know.

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;

He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.

blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate
(portions of Psalm 127 )

"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope." Psalm 130

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. GALATIANS 6;3-4

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:9-10

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." GALATIANS 2:8-10

We left the glen an hour later, hearts and minds full of God's beauty. I am so thankful for the lessons He teaches me and the verses He brings to my remembrance, even in the midst of pain.