The calm in a flowing river

Today, like many others, I went for a walk to my favorite spot, next to the waterfall! :) As I was sitting there and reflecting on this journey, reflecting on life, I continued to be amazed at the peace it brings me. I had a conversation with a new friend the other day. We went to the sea and we both talked about the calmness it brought to us. We talked about how we could sit there all day by ourselves and never feel alone. How could you when you see the creation of our Father?! But then I shared in my heart how yes, the sea, the ocean, the waves bring me peace, but even more so I love rivers. I love the sound of the water running down the rocks. I love the breath-taking view when the river is engulfed by its surroundings. I love the peace it brings when I can sit on a rock in the middle of the water and watch the water flow all around me. If there was any place I could pick, that would be the place. Anywhere that was near a flowing river. I sat and pondered this idea. Why does a river bring me more peace than an ocean? Why does something small in retrospec to an ocean, make me feel closer to my Daddy? Yes, I know everyone is different but it was something I was pondering. Then I remebered three important memories. The first one being my cousin's house. We lived in the country. We had the whole world at our disposal or so we thought. We would venture back to the creek and spend hours playing in the swimming hole, riding horses through it, and just being kids. We had so much fun and laughter while back by the creek. We didn't care about anything else in the world, at the creek, we were free to do whatever. The creek offered us freedom and a break from the rules and lives we had from our parents. Not that these things were bad, but there we were free. The second memory was the creek by my house. It was a bit bigger than the one by my cousin's but it still offered the same safe haven. I knew that when I was at the creek, and often with my best friend (my dog :D) Jake, I was safe. Forget about all the cars driving over the bridge I played under or the fact that it was right off the road, there I was safe. I didn't have to be at home with my step-dad alone, I didn't have to resist temptations I shouldn't have as a kid, and I didn't have to answer to anyone. Much like the creek at my cousin's house, I was free. I had peace. I was calm. Then the third and final memory I thought of. My first mission trip. I had just finished my freshman year of high school. We had moved away from my step-dad and I decided I wanted to see what this mission trip was about. Let's be honest, the only reason I went was because I thought my youth pastor was cool and wanted to spend more time with her. But on that trip, God caught my attention for the first time. I was still niave and ignorant to a lot of things. I didn't know the burning in my heart was the Holy Spirit. I didn't know the love that was growing for those I didn't like was God at work. I didn't know that God was trying to change my heart even then. What I do remember however, is our camp out in Ouray, Colorado. We stayed there for two nights after we finshed our mission trip and had time of fellowship and relaxation. We could wander the grounds as long as we stayed within certain bounds. The fact that I grew up in the country appealed to my sense of wandering alone. I didn't need someone to walk with me. I was actually kind of looking forward to a few moments alone. I walked across this brigde and saw in the middle of this small river a big rock. And when I say big, I mean me and two other people could have sat with me. I saw that there were smaller rocks that made a path to this big rock. It was calling my name. Alesha, come and sit awhile. Rest on me. So I did. I remember sitting there and thinking, God are you real? God can you really hear me? God what happened this last week? I never heard a response, I never heard a voice. All I felt was peace. Stillness. A quietness in my heart. I believe this was the beginning of a lot of lessons I would learn. Being still before the Lord. So, all that to say, I think I know why this place is my favorite spot. It's a place admist the chaos and craziness of language training and ministry, that I can be still before the Lord. It's a place where I feel comfortable. It's a place where I can go and always, ALWAYS, know that my heart will be still before my Daddy. :)