God Is In His Heaven

My precious friend Leah leaned over to me in the choir loft at church this morning and told me that she was bringing my family dinner tonight. WOW! What a blessing. We had a fabulous meal of good eats directly from their garden. OK, maybe not directly from the garden since the veggies were cooked, but it was wonderfully fresh!

It was so out of the blue, completely unexpected. But it was absolutely appreciated.

After dinner Alex and I took the golf cart down the little gravel road to deliver some books to my mom. The setting sun painted a brilliant array of pinks, oranges and yellows against the darkening sky. I smelled autumn in the air; a familiar and comforting scent I associate with falling leaves and crisp apples. But for today, at least, the leaves are still hanging on the trees and rustling in the wind. I closed my eyes as Alex drove and just enjoyed the cool breeze in my face.

After a short visit with my mom and sister we hurried back home, relying on the scant moonlight to help navigate the narrow road. I reveled in the joy I always experience at the first kiss of autumn; the rich smells, glorious colors, crunching sounds and the feel of the brisk air.

In the few short minutes it took to get home it dawned on me that I was truly content. For a brief moment tonight I experienced an elusive, absolute sense of well-being. As Robert Browning said “God’s in his Heaven - All’s right with the world!”

I wish I could keep the feeling all the time. I wish I could let go of my worries and troubles and leave them where they fall. But, like Paul,

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Romans 7:15)

I try to drop my burdens, and for periods of time I can, but before I know it, I’ve packed them back up and strapped them on for the journey.

Jesus tells us to come to Him and He will give us rest.

Do I trust Him? Absolutely. So why do I still find it difficult to stop depending solely on myself, to think I have to find the solution or always be in control of the situation. I don’t even want to. It is hard work and I am tired. I long for that rest that He speaks of, yet I find myself almost fighting against it at times.

This is one truth I must re-learn again and again. My worries are like those autumn leaves hanging on the trees for dear life. I need to trust God and let go of them; let them swirl and dance into the wind and out of my mind. I need to remind myself to be ever vigilant. To seek God in prayer, give Him my burdens, and then move on; don’t look back and by all means, don’t pick them back up.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.