We’ve just returned from the beach. Yesterday we pulled in the driveway around 6 pm. The car was completely unloaded by 7. Emergency trip to Target for post-trip essentials was finished by 8:30. And all of us were tucked into our own beds at a decent hour. Though our vacation was thoroughly refreshing, it was good to be home.
As I unpacked suitcases this morning, clothes into drawers and toiletries into cabinets, laundry into the machine, I was able to reflect on the trip just a bit. There is one thing that always amazes me, every time I’m at the ocean. No matter what we do, what castles we build or the foot prints we leave behind – the next day they are gone. There is high tide and low tide. In and out the water comes and goes; and in between the shore becomes a clean slate.
I can’t tell you how much I regularly long for this miracle to happen in my heart. The busyness of life, interaction with my family, conflicts and resolutions – and I find myself in a rough state, the surface of my heart is completely disturbed by the activities of the day. Sometimes it makes me uneasy. Sometimes it leaves me restless. Sometimes I ache.
Usually on vacation I find a bit of peace and I’m able to smooth things out- life even seems relaxing, right until its time to come home to the regular, every day hustle and bustle. And so, the dread begins right about the time I realize it is time to leave. *sigh*
This year, as I sat with my toes submerged in the sand, on our last day of vacation, I experienced something new. When I prayed and told the Lord about the need for my heart’s resurfacing, I began to realize it doesn’t just have to happen on vacation. I mean, R&R is always good. It is a necessity. But, I don’t have to walk around, waiting for the get-away. I watched the waves roll in and it was a visual reminder of His promise to revive my heart. Even as those waves made the rough places smooth on the beach right before my eyes, I could feel a revival beginning in my heart, His love washing over me, replenishing the life in me, a preparation for the coming daily grind. My heart was ready to begin again.
This is the truth: I can live the life of mama, wife, friend, teacher, daughter, sister (etc. etc.) day after day – as the woman He has called me to be. I can give my all and deplete myself to the very bottom of my soul, if I have to – because my Savior promises restoration. He died and rose again so that He can give me LIFE! By myself, I can’t do it. But, with this truth secured in my heart and mind, I can survive!
Be refreshed by these Words:
Psalm 119:159-160
159 Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
As we’ve been getting back into the routine of things, I have truly been renewed by His promises, and encouraged by His extraordinary loving kindness to me. There is a song that has played again and again from my iPhone thru my earbuds. And as I have heard the words, the truth of His love has become more real than ever before. His love will always bring revival to the heart of a believer. He promises.
Still letting these words wash over my heart today:
You Revive Me:
You revive me
You revive me Lord
And all my deserts are rivers of joy
You are the treasure I could not afford
So I’ll spend myself till I’m empty and poor
All for You
You revive me Lord
Lord I have seen Your goodness
And I know the way You are
Give me eyes to see You in the dark
And Your face shines a glory
That I only know in part
And there is still a longing
A longing in my heart.
My soul is thirsty
Only You can satisfy
You are the well that never will run dry
And I’ll praise You for the blessing
For calling me Your friend
And in Your name I’m lifting
I’m lifting up my hands.
I’m alive
I’m alive
You breathe on me
You revive me.
daily portion 