Refresh My Soul

♥ Isabelle ♥

“It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:26)

I don’t want to write about waiting, about patience. Truth is, I don’t want to write at all. After a while, when everything you pen comes out for people’s reading, you get tired. I just want to sit. I don’t want to make analogies or give explanations. I don’t really want to look up verses. So I sit, my back to the rising sunshine, close my eyes, and listen.

I don’t want to describe the noises, but somehow, there, doing nothing, my soul is refreshed. I have discovered, in recent years, how much my emotions need restoring. I do pretty good with keeping my mind on Jesus, and my will, though it has drawn me aside several times (mostly me refusing to do things), isn’t an issue either. But all these up-and-downs of my feelings becomes too much.

I’m angry, then I’m not. I’m sad and frustrated, then I’m too silly. Oh, grow up, Suzanne! Jesus has emotions. God gave mankind emotions. Jesus knew how to steward His. Still, we see Him weep, we read where He cried out in a loud voice, we hear some sarcasm in His replies to the Pharisees. We can imagine His perfunctory answers to that old adversary, there in the wilderness. We picture Him on the cross and His love overwhelms us. Why would the God of heaven and earth do that for someone like me?

We hear His rejoicing when He exited the tomb, a new man. So to speak. The King of Kings.

I can’t ride my emotions anymore. I’m tired of the rollercoaster. I crave peace beyond my understanding, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

I love Isaiah 32:17-18.

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”

And Romans 8:26, where it says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness (BSB).” In all those places where I’m cracked and dry, Lord, refresh my soul. Where muck and mire has replaced solid ground, place my feet upon the Rock. Draw me away from my continual running to sit and wait in your green pastures beside the still and restful waters.

Make the waiting pleasant and the rising afterward sure-footed and confident. You go before me, and I will follow (Psalm 23:4). Then, when I lay down my head, at the end of the day, place your hand upon me and give me rest (Psalm 139:5).

“When you lie down to sleep, you will not have any fear, and your sleep will be refreshing.” (Proverbs 3:24 UDB)

When the sun rises, let us stand there and admire it together. Me in your house, you living in mine, the birds singing and nothing required of me, until I have to let out the dog.

“One thing alone I ask from the Eternal, one thing do I desire, a vision of the Eternal’s goodness in the temple at the morning hour.” (Psalm 27:4, Moffatt)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com