I have a place I go faithfully every Sunday evening at sunset. It is a special place for me and Jesus, and over the last several months we have had some remarkable and significant moments together there.
Today, I’d like to share a few of them with you, my readers.
It was at this place that the Holy Spirit spoke to me about my lack of patience. “See how patiently you await this familiar dance in nature, my love?” He said to me ever so gently one Sunday night. “Be patient in all things just as you are patient awaiting the sunset I’ve created just for you.”
It was also here that He pointed out to me that my expectations of another were stealing my focus during my time with Him one evening. As I anxiously watched the cars coming in to the lake hoping a friend I had invited would show, He gently pointed out to me, “Do you see where your hope lies, daughter? In this moment, it is not in Me or in anticipation of how I will reveal myself to you anew in our time together tonight. Your gaze has shifted to another.”
If I can be completely honest, He’s brought correction to me more than once here. But wrapped in correction was always His comfort and an overwhelming sense of His mercy and love towards me.
“My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him; for the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, and He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” Hebrews 12:5b-6 AMP
Once, through a rebellious dog named Louie, He showed me something about myself that I hadn’t really noticed before. Or, maybe I didn’t want to. In any case, it taught me to seek more zealously after Him instead of after things that were not meant for me.
Last week, He met me there as I processed a weekend of challenging moments back in my hometown. I sat down with the weight of the world on my shoulders as I considered all I had experienced during my time home. While my prayers went up for those I love, I felt an overwhelming burden to fix all the brokenness with which I was faced those two days. Yet He gently brought scripture to mind to remind me that this burden is His, and I simply need to let Him have it.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Last night a cool October breeze brushed the loose hairs across my forehead as I unfolded my chair to take a seat at the water. As I looked up to take in the panoramic view before me, my gaze immediately went to the shimmery lake. The same cool breeze that made my hair tickle my face was pushing the water this way and that. Ever so gently the Lord spoke into my spirit and said, “See how the water doesn’t resist the wind and which way it moves? This is what I want from you. No resistance, Amanda.” For the rest of our time together, He continued to speak that into my spirit as I watched the water and waited for the sunset.
The moments I experience with the Lover of my soul in this place are unmatched to anything I’ve ever encountered. He’s revealed so much of His character to me in this place, and I love Him a little more each time I leave there. I wait with hopeful anticipation for this time every week, and He never disappoints in showing up for me.
Thank you Lord for your love, your faithfulness, your goodness, and your kindness towards me. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for our special time together each week. I love you more than all this world could offer me. Amen
Do you have a special place with the Lover of your soul?
I love this as I study each picture, a beautiful memory filled with your time together ❣️