Car Horns and Garbage Trucks

As I sit here on a Monday morning, I am gazing out of the large square window of my sister’s home.  The view is stunning and it overlooks the marsh.  It is a serene sight to behold. The sky is blue, the breeze is gently blowing and the marsh grass is dancing around as if it is a small child dancing and twirling for daddy's attention.  It is such a peaceful moment that would bring the busiest of minds to a place of calm reflection.  Then it happens, that moment of interruption that quickly and sharply pulls us from our moment of peace and tranquility. The garbage truck comes bustling down the road and a car horn blows, as if both are setting of an alarm of reality that blares "Life is messy and life is loud!"  Here's the thing - I can't see the garbage truck or the car.  I can only hear the rumbling of the truck and the irritable, loud squeaking of the horn that seems to beg "excuse me" rather than "get the heck out of my way".  Regardless of my ability to see those things, the sounds disrupt my amazing moment of marsh gazing to a snap back that life is happening outside the confines of the walls of my sister’s home.  

What do you do when life gets messy and loud?  What do you do when it doesn't go according to your plan?  It is important to have a place (both mentally and physically) that you can stop to reflect and experience the peace that only God can provide.  It is a peace that passes all understanding.  It is a place where you can dream, imagine, cry, rest!  In that place, your soul can be renewed, your mind can find rest and joy can be refilled .... And in some cases restored.  

My challenge to you is find that place of refuge, of strength.  That place you can go that you can sit with Lord and draw in His strength.  There are some days the garbage trucks won't pass and the car horns won't blow.  But the days they do, you will be armed with strength and ready to take on the trash and inconvenience that presents itself to you.  We often quote Deut. 31:6 in times of trouble – Be strong and courageous …. When you quote that verse do you consider where strength comes from?  Strength is something that is built over time.  Be sure you are working on your strength when the car horns and garbage trucks are not around so when they are, you will be strong and courageous - you've got this!

Deuteronomy 31:6(AMP)

6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”