Tag Archives: still waters

Day 3/31: Nourish

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Day 3: Nourish #writetogether31days

There’s no doubt that when I’m feeling depleted, empty, in need of contentment, being near water is the nourishment my soul desires. There’s a certain peace, a calm serenity I can’t explain (water people know what I mean) that comes over me the moment I am near it. Lake, ocean, pond, river, trickling stream, it doesn’t matter. When the world leaves me lacking, it is the water that replenishes.

Here’s the thing though, I’m not able to take off to the beach or lake whenever I feel like it. And as I’m sure you know, life can leave us longing for relief a lot! Looking to the mountains, desert, and yes, water to fulfill that hunger just doesn’t work day to day. So what do we do?

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.”
Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV)

Let’s read that again. (I’m a slow learner) With God, we have everything we need. In Him we find rest and solace. The green pastures and quiet waters aren’t really what our souls desire. It is HE who restores us. 

Think back to the Israelites. They escaped with very little and found themselves in a world of need. Depleted, empty, longing for relief, God sent bread from Heaven to nourish their bodies and to remind them they weren’t on their own . It is HE who restores us. “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

God didn’t stop there.  He made sure that in our day to day, las we live in this world of trouble all our needs are met too. “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ “
John 6:35 (NIV)

Going to linger at the water’s edge is something I always look forward to doing. And I do feel refreshed when I’m there, but you and I know that feeling doesn’t last long. It is Jesus, the Bread from Heaven who truly feeds our souls. HE provides all you and I need. Whether we’re on the mountain top or in the deep valley, on still waters or in the parched desert we must remember (speaking to myself here) that it isn’t a place, or a thing, or a person that meets our needs or nourishes our souls. It is only, always Jesus.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

Swan ~ Day 6 of #Write28Days Challenge

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“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul:” Psalm 23: 1-3a (KJV)

A Pond and A Swan

I sit in the window and
Look out at the world.
My breaths become slower
My muscles, unfurled.

Leaning into the glass,
The pane cool to my face,
Worry lines once there
Disappear with no trace.

Hopeful, my gaze
Sweeps over the pond;
Searching the surface,
The banks, and beyond.

Not a ripple is present.
No hint that he’s there.
So I wait, I watch,
And say a quick prayer.

Hues of orange and purple
Reflect on the sill.
As the sun takes its place
On the crest of the hill.

As the day makes way
To welcome the night,
From the verge he appears
Much to my delight!

Regal, he glides
With his head held high.
A silhouette of grace
Against the darkening sky.

Each time that I return
I’m amazed to find
That renewal abounds
For my heart, soul, and mind.

For me, there is something
About the view so serene,
With a pond and a swan and
The pastures so green.

It’s hard for me to explain
How this place can be so dear,
But sitting in this window seat
Brings peace each time I’m here.

For I’m reminded of the Shepherd
Who meets all our needs
And guides us to still waters
If we’ll follow where He leads.

Now, the view from the window
May be different for you and for me,
But when we’re looking from where HE leads us,
A restored soul we’ll surely see!

This picture and poem are of one of my favorite places: a small, Ohio country inn and while the swan isn’t visible in my photo, he’s been there every time I’ve visited! The kindness of the people, the serenity of the inn, the beauty of the surroundings, and the swan who is there to greet me give me many reasons to be thankful that God has lead me beside those still waters! Where is your place?  I’d love to know if you’re willing to share with me in the comments. And, If you’d like to read what others have written to the prompt “Swan”, head on over to http://www.anitaojeda.com