I took this photo on the majestic shores of Lake Michigan. Each year our family travels north to be nourished and restored on this land. I have traveled the great world to Africa, Australia, Europe, Hawaii and crisscrossed our nation many times. In spite of the beauty and intrigue of faraway lands, I prefer to rest on the soft sands of our summer place than anywhere else. It is my happy place. My comfort place. The place where, one day, my ashes will be set free to become one with the wind, the sand, the shores, and waves.
On one of our dreamy days last summer, I sat next to my 10-year-old daughter on the shore. As I flipped the final pages of the book that started this 31 day series, my daughter silently handed me a note. On it was a simple poem she wrote as we sat side-by-side. She gave me permission to share it with you. I hope her words speak generously to your heart and carry the same hope and comfort they give me.
The blue skies, the green lake
You and me, on the sliding bank.
You take my hand, as we sit in the sand
And watch the land erode beneath us.
The white clouds, showing their fluff
The hush of your voice
And that is enough.
– By Audrey Fleetwood
Children have a way of seeing through distractions. In our need to be busy and get things done, it’s easy to miss the simple beauty that surrounds us every second of every day. Children put their touch on the unseen. With simple faith, they trust, hope, and believe in ways that are easy to lose as we age. In living this quest of seeking the still, I am finding that some of my greatest teachers are children. It’s never too late to rediscover the heart of a child, but it takes patience and practice. In Matthew 19:14 Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Do yourself a favor today and see the world through the eyes of a child. You will be blessed.
This series is not a tidy story of a fairy tale life. It is messy and truthful. For 31 days, I will share pieces of my journey, practical coping techniques for dealing with anxiety, spiritual insights, emotional struggles, and a whole lot of other. I will likely jump from here to there as the Spirit leads. I invite you along as I share my experience, my strength, and my hope. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Together, we shall seek the still.
