Rooted in Grace

One of my favorite places to get away is our family’s cabin in the Northern Penninsula of Michigan.  It’s a Swedish inspired cottage, built by my family, a place of true soul rest, and…it’s in the middle of nowhere. 

When our family first started looking for a weekend home, I imagined somewhere within walking distance or a short drive to a quaint little lake town to walk down and grab a coffee or explore a book store. However, we found that those places tend to also be over crowded with small lots, busy streets and not a lot of peace and quiet. 

Then, several years later we started exploring Northern Michigan. After winding our way down 5 miles of dirt/gravel road we pulled in and saw the river. It was one of those sunny, summer days where the sky is bright blue dotted with fluffy white clouds and I just fell in love with the beauty of the property.  Nestled right alongside the river was a magnificent tree with roots that reached down to the river and leaves that stretched to the sky.  I knew that it would provide shade, beauty, and a comfy spot to curl up with a good book for years to come. 

The tree beside the river was flourishing and able to provide rest and beauty for our family because it was planted near the water, it’s source of life. 

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Psalm 1 is one of my favorite verses because of the beautiful picture it creates and the reminder of where to seek nourishment. What a beautiful picture of how we are called to live our lives. Planted by streams of living water, rooted in His grace.

When my days are long and I’m starting to feel overwhelmed or weary, I will often look to coffee, compliments, food, or even people to provide the nourishment that only God can.  A woman who flourishes in every season, is rooted in grace. As my pastor says, Grace is God’s supernatural power to work within us to accomplish what we couldn’t do ourselves. It’s his grace, every minute of every day, that provides strength, energy, wisdom, discernment to not just make it until midnight but to thrive in your current season.  

Just like the tree planted by the river, our connection point and source of strength begins with relationship with our Creator. Time in the Word, prayer, worship, silence & solitude, or just being in His Creation. We are created to be connected with the source of life and it is His grace to help us grow and bloom.

Nourishment for your Soul: Pause and Ponder

Where do you need nourishment today (physically, emotionally, spiritually..)?

Take 10 mintues, turn off your phone (or switch it to airplane mode), go outside, and read Psalm 1: 1-3.