I am blessed to be sitting in the home of two of the best friends any person has ever had. Enjoying the warmth and refreshment from a great fire, and amazing friends. Darlene, my most amazing wife of almost 38 yrs (40 total if you count the 2 years I chased after her in high school) and I are in the woods of central Tennessee in a log cabin that sits just outside of the Falls Creek Falls Park. This area is breathtaking, 60 ft. tall Pine, Hemlock, and assorted hardwood trees point to heaven, creeks, streams and rivers flow from the blessing of God’s faithfulness. The sky is bright, blue, and sun filled in the day; dark, star-filled, and beautifully moon-lit during the night. This place is a constant sensory overload of the reminder and truth of God’s goodness, presence, and love. This is a place where it is difficult not to relax and take a deep, deep, breath.

This past year was one that marked me deeply, and I hope, changes me for the better.
This past April I had to say good bye to my beautiful, precious, 9 yr. old granddaughter, Emma Grace. Oh how I love and miss her. I think I have experienced all the “so called” loss emotions several different times each, and probably will continue to. I love her and miss her. I always will. There is not a place one can go to escape the “Awful’s” of life, except into the place of rest that comes with God’s Peace; Not our manufactured peace, but God’s.
Rest Comes with God’s Peace.
By Being, not in striving to accept the place and surroundings where you are.
I am not saying that I like all that has transpired this past year, I don’t, I hate it most of the time! but I am learning to grieve without allowing bitterness to be a major part. I am learning to praise in the loss. That can only happen by being at rest in God. God’s Peace that passes all understanding is just that, a mystery that is imputed to His sons and daughters at the time and point of need.
Peace comes from Security.
God’s care for us is deeper than our limited ability to comprehend, He knows and supplies our needs, we are not required to solicit His care, He gives it freely, lavishly, fully, and appropriately to the need(s). Perfectly. All He desires from us is that we place our trust in Him. What a marvelous privilege, the gift of being secure in Christ Jesus, by Faith.
This security I am speaking of only comes from having confidence in Christ. It is an Amazing place to be, irregardless of the storm that you might find yourself in. He, Christ Jesus, is more than able to speak to both them and your heart to cause them to be calmed. Living in south Florida I liken it to the passing of the Hurricane and finding yourself in the Eye Wall, a place off absolute stillness and calm inspite of what is happening in every direction you may look.
Confidence comes from knowing the protector
Jesus is the most amazing Friend, Savior, Provider, God.
Jesus is our Rest.

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