I'm always learning. In fact, I'd consider myself quite introspective. I think deeper than I should on occasion. I analyze things, people, situations and I sometimes make assumptions about them. My friends tease me about the "people that live in my head". This is because I am always thinking and planning and dreaming. Even when I am quiet, and perhaps especially when I am quiet, my mind is quite a busy place.
My trip to Alaska taught me something about this.
It happened for me in this place:
And my mind stilled. More still than I can ever remember it being. All I could hear in my head was the words of the Psalmist: "Be still, and KNOW that I am God." (Ps. 46:10). DH leaned over and asked softly, "What are you thinking?" And I replied, "It is just so beautiful." I'm pretty sure those were the only words we spoke for about an hour.
I breathed deeply. The air is, without a doubt, the freshest I've ever been around. It was an amazing feeling simply being and breathing with so many other people and yet, alone. As we reached the largest glaciers and the ship stopped completely, I simply wanted to shout: "MAJESTY!" For that is what I know I was seeing. 
And there, in that place, it became ever so clear to me. I don't have to be in Alaska to see it. His majesty and beauty is all around me. All I have to do is be willing to STOP and SEE IT and BREATHE it IN! It's in my children's faces. It's in the nature that surrounds me each and every day. It's in the way my DH loves me. It's when I drive in the car. It's at my job. For He is in all of those places. I just have to BE STILL and KNOW it. 
The lesson I learned in the silence and beauty of this place is perhaps best summed up in the words of Zephaniah: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zeph. 3:17)
My trip to Alaska taught me something about this.
It happened for me in this place:
This is Prince William Sound near Anchorage, Alaska. We floated in there the final night of our cruise. While standing out on the deck, all you could hear was peace and quiet. This was amazing because there were literally hundreds of people out on the decks taking in the glorious sights. In fact, it was so quiet that you could hear the ice bergs melting in the water.
And my mind stilled. More still than I can ever remember it being. All I could hear in my head was the words of the Psalmist: "Be still, and KNOW that I am God." (Ps. 46:10). DH leaned over and asked softly, "What are you thinking?" And I replied, "It is just so beautiful." I'm pretty sure those were the only words we spoke for about an hour.I breathed deeply. The air is, without a doubt, the freshest I've ever been around. It was an amazing feeling simply being and breathing with so many other people and yet, alone. As we reached the largest glaciers and the ship stopped completely, I simply wanted to shout: "MAJESTY!" For that is what I know I was seeing. And there, in that place, it became ever so clear to me. I don't have to be in Alaska to see it. His majesty and beauty is all around me. All I have to do is be willing to STOP and SEE IT and BREATHE it IN! It's in my children's faces. It's in the nature that surrounds me each and every day. It's in the way my DH loves me. It's when I drive in the car. It's at my job. For He is in all of those places. I just have to BE STILL and KNOW it. The lesson I learned in the silence and beauty of this place is perhaps best summed up in the words of Zephaniah: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zeph. 3:17) Now I just have to remember it when the "busy-ness" tries to set in and take over! I believe when this happens, though, that God, in his infinite wisdom can say to the storm: "Peace! Be still!"
And there's nothing better than that!
8 comments:
Fantastic posting!!!!
beautiful pics..
my email is amyschristopher@comcast.net of that helps
Although the scenery was quite different, I felt the same way at the Grand Canyon. I just wanted to sit there and soak up the presence of God. The beauty of His creation was overwhelming!
Amen... I look forward to catching up some later this summer...
thank you for sharing those thoughts and pictures...
It IS always there. But it's so IN YOUR FACE when you see it in a NEW light! And it gives you a new appreciation for it, all over again! I LOVE when that happens! Hopefully, when the busy's set in, you will be able to think back and remember - and clear your head with the memory!
Beautiful photos, Susan!
When we were in Bermuda 7 years ago, there was this one place that I had one of those same moments you just wrote about. It is the place I still go to in my mind when I need to calm down and slow down! :) I think I need another vacation to Bermuda!
Susan, I really think we are kindred spirits. I am the same way by nature in that I am always thinking....and thinking TOO much. I have an active imagination, and it has always gotten me into trouble.
This post completely blessed me...I think God used this way He spoke to you, to also speak to others...
The photos are beautifully serene and I can almost feel that pristine air you described...but you are so right...God can be this way to us spiritually anywhere, anytime.
Thank you for posting this!
Hugs,
~Tammy
BREATH TAKING...love it!
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