Thankful Thursday ~ He's waiting for us to rest...

There were two chairs sitting at the end of the long quiet porch. One for my Heavenly Father and one for me ~ His Child. He had been waiting, quietly for me to stop...rest... and come to Him for rejuvenation and refilling.

But...I've been too busy being my "good girl" self and doing... doing... doing. Trying to get everything done. Please everyone. Please God.

BUT GOD! In all His infinite ways ordained some time at the beach last week for my family so that we could meet with Him and meet with each other.

We laughed with each other...swam in the pool...jumped the waves in the ocean...danced in the rain...and built sandcastles on the beach. All while resting in His Glorious Creation of the earth and time together.

As I sat in the rocking chair next to God each morning He met me in the quiet and filled me to overflowing.

We began our vacation weary and tired...we left our vacation tired from fun days & nights. But no longer weary for we were overflowing from the goodness of God and time spent with Him.

Continuing counting the Joy Dare #704 - #730:

• unplanned, impromptu, vacation
• God opening doors when He knows we need a break
• the symphony of singing birds, blowing wind, rain falling on palmetto trees & water dripping off the roof
• waking up to laughter from kids as they play in the rain in their PJs
• getting out of town with no hangups
• the excitement of coming home to new faucets
• golf cart rides in the rain
• barefoot & fancy free days of summer
• white rocking chairs begging to be relaxed in
• sand between my toes
• the rush of the heart when you spot a shark in the ocean & the kids are not far from it
• sandcastles & shells
• discovering hermit crabs & blue crabs in nets
• standing on the boardwalk overlooking the marsh watching the fiddler crabs scurry between the sweet grass
• deer nibbling grass along the road
• snapping turtle being rescued from the road
• high tide beckoning us in
• the lapping of the waves on my feet
• crisp, cool pool water
• kids playing in the cold water until their lips turn blue
• everyone staying in their PJs until lunch time
• Mom getting up early to be at the house for the plumber
• big fat juicy steaks grilled to perfection
• tart key lime pie
• renovations that check something off the to do list
• organization & clutter removed
• rejuvenating sleep

Taking the Joy Dare of counting 1000 gifts with Ann at A Holy Experience 

In His Calm,


Mary