Refreshment in His presence

Believe it or not?  Yes, we actually are having April showers.  It's a quiet rain that has hung around for the past 3-4 days.  Often, you are not sure if it's there until you are outside in it, because it doesn't pour forth in a relentless pounding which is much more typical for Southern California rain.  But it seems to be doing the job, as the ground around us has grown greener and more colorful with all kinds of Spring time blossoms.  I find it soothing to watch it fall outside my kitchen window.  Even my "Beanstalk transplant" of one week ago finally seems to have settled in.  No, it wasn't happy with the move, and drooped most of the week, despite my consoling and constant watering.  I tried to remind it of all the space it has to grow in, since it's out of the crowded box.  My only response from it was more wilting.  But yesterday, I caught a glimmer of hope, as I saw its bottom leaves perking up.  Ah hah! There is still life in my buddy!  So I pruned it in an attempt to focus its resolve and fed a bit more fertilizer into its hungry roots.  And today, it looks refreshed . . .

Nature needs refreshment.  I am no different.   In fact, I will be spending a spa day with one of my girlfriends tomorrow.  I am looking forward to it, even if we will have to dodge a few rain showers.  We have gone together before, and enjoy the chance to slow down, talk, share our thoughts and concerns, get relief from tightened muscles, and allow our skin to soak in mineral baths.

There are days when I feel the burden of caring for others too heavy.  I have had some critical patients these past few weeks, with serious presentations and ultimate disease.  I realize my limitations and inadequacy when dealing with such, and yet I do my best to guide them through and get them the additional help outside of my domain.  But they are always on my mind, and I keep them in my prayers that God will see them through and bring His healing restoration to them.

The beggar lame man was one like that.  Who knows how many years he had been carried to that temple gate to beg for monetary handouts?  How hard to watch the crowds go by and all you could do was sit and beg.  But that day, there was something different about Peter and John walking in by his direction.  So as his habit, the lame man called out seeking their charity gift.  But what he got was not any silver or gold, but a command to keep his eyes on them, a firm right hand to stand, and in the name of that Jesus the Nazarene, a direct demand to walk!  And walk he did!  Or rather, he jumped up standing, and from then on went walking and leaping and praising God!  No doubt, he caused quite a spectacle in the temple as all the people could not help to notice "the miracle" dancing and prancing around them.  Talk about restoration, justice, hope and new life . . .

I imagine myself in the boat, the one that Jesus slept in when the storm was raging all around him and his disciples were becoming more fearful by the moment.  How could Jesus sleep so soundly in this storm?  Of course they woke him up, and He immediately calmed the raging  seas.  Then their fear and awe grew with the One who tamed the winds and surging waters.  When I am in that boat, I put myself right next to the resting Jesus.  Yes, I am tossed and surrounded by waves of my own doubt, my burdens, my failures and inadequacies, but near Him, I can find my rest even though I am in the midst of a churning sea.  

It is those times of refreshing that can come from the presence of the Lord.  Quiet and dark times, uncertain and unanswered times, even ordinary times, during usual routines, all of these are opportunities for refreshment when I am drawn into His presence.