A Refreshing Break

I understand airplanes are faster and I enjoy flying—when I want to get there in a hurry or when I’m going to a place that is really far away. But the downside is you don’t see much scenery when you fly. Maybe a pretty cloud or a radiant sunset, but not much more.

But traveling in a car you get to see all sorts of beautiful scenery. Especially when you travel down back roads through the country side, which we hardly ever do. Most of the time we are speeding down the highway pretty close to the speed limit, because Wayne has his little helper right beside him, if you haven’t heard about “little helper in the car” then you just have to listen to Tim Hawkins routines. That man is hilarious! Look him up on YouTube. (There’s too many for me to pick from and the one I like is not an official copy, so I can’t put it on my site.)

 

 

 

 

Isn’t she the cutest little driver evER!

I know you must think that I got totally lost or turned onto a dead end on that one, but actually I just pulled into a rest stop for a laugh break . It does us good to laugh and Tim Hawkins is the best!

 

OK! I’m back on the highway again. Most of the time we take the shortest or the quickest route when we are traveling. Wayne feels driven to get there as fast as he can in most cases and because he does all the driving I try to be considerate of him. But occasionally, he wants to take a back road or make an unscheduled stop. Recently, he saw a sign on I-95 advertising a seafood restaurant and wanted to try it.

 

I loaded Yelp. Don’t you just love that app? Honestly, I use it every time we travel. Darien, GA, where the restaurant is located, was about two miles off the road and Wayne wanted to check it out. I love an adventure. Can I call taking a two mile detour an adventure? Since I am a firm believer that life is what you make it, I was excited. Our sense of adventure and growling stomachs took us to Darien, GA.

We made a few turns that look us down a quaint little street that I think was downtown Darien. Most of the buildings along the street had been renovated and turned into lovely businesses. The one on the corner was the “Purple Pickle.” (That’s a name I won’t forget anytime soon.”)

The building across from the Purple Pickle, I love saying that, was boarded up with numerous “Do NOT Enter” signs. I was instantly in love. The fiery orange shutters, some open, some closed and some half opened and half closed hung on tabby (oyster shell) walls that peeked out of cracked stucco that had once covered the walls properly. The second level was concrete block. The buttresses, tall and strong, supported the sides like muscled giants. Wind whistled  through cracks and broken windows. The walls were water streaked and mildewed. Ivy got a toe hold and climbed its sides. I would love to know who built it and why? What happened to the owner and the dream behind this beautiful building. Maybe it was a warehouse for cotton and tobacco or a lodging for a weary traveler.

 

We made another turn  down a short road that dead ended at the waterfront. The food was good, but the view was fabulous. A new boardwalk lined the waterfront. I was anxious to experience a closer view.

 

 

An alligator posed for  Wayne to take his picture. Surely, he didn’t think we were going to feed him super? He wagged his tail back and forth which pushed him effortlessly through the murky water. The sign warned “No Swimming. Swift Current.” Forget the swift current, how ‘bout that swift gator!

 

 

 

 

Boats were docked at the public boat slip. Miss Jackie. Grave Digger. Grave Digger? Really?

 

 

Darien, GA was an awesome break from a long day on the road. It was so beautiful. Majesty moss covered oaks. Gentle breeze.  So peaceful. I soaked it all in. I was delighted we had stopped. I was so glad we made the effort to find a place to relax and eat. It made such a difference. I was refreshed and ready to get back on the road again. …on the road again…I think I hear Willie Nelson crooning the words along with me.

And those are exactly the reasons  I read the Bible. Oh don’t misunderstand me, reading the Bible is a spiritual discipline. I read the Bible because I want to know God, His plan for my life and how to live a life that is pleasing to Him. It is a habit. These days Wayne and I listen to the Bible using the YouVersion App that is on our phone. I enjoy the reader’s voice on the New Living Translation.

It’s Refreshing

But aside from the discipline of reading scripture, I read the Bible because it refreshes me spiritually. Life, like a hot summer day can drain you. Most of us take bottled water or a soft drink with us when we’re going to be outside on a hot day, but we don’t seem to understand the need to refresh our spirits with the water of God’s Word and the wind of His Spirit.

The promises of God give me hope, but beyond hopefulness, Scripture moors my hope to a faith that is anchored in a God that never changes.

Reading the Bible lifts my focus from the problems to the solution-Jesus.

The Bible is unlike any other book because it is God breathed and God inspired.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16

 

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14

It is Good News.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16 NIV

It brings joy and who doesn’t need more of that?

The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Psalms 19:8

It gives guidance.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105

 

I realize that we had to get off the road to experience what we did.

We could have hurried in somewhere and hurried out after we had gobbled our food and paid the bill, but we lingered. We looked. We relaxed. We enjoyed.

God’s Word can be a duty we hurry through, to say we read our Bible or we can linger, look and relax and actually enjoy the time reading the Bible. I think the psalmist knew a secret when he prayed,

Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalms 119:18 NLT

I hope you’ll get off the expressway called “normal routine” long enough to experience the refreshing benefits of lingering in God’s presence to enjoy His voice and feel His love as you read the Bible.