“Speak to me, God,” I said, while driving through the countryside. I was on my way to a friend’s lake house, in search of the space that used to exist between my shoulders and my ears.
I spoke my request and then fell silent.
Almost instantaneously, the sweetgrass smell of farms and meadows, the heady perfume of country roads, wafted in my car windows.
A mile down the road, I passed Soulful Acres, a farm aptly named. It looked like a peaceful haven.
And just before I hit what passed for civilization in those parts, two wild turkey strutted regally through a small field to my left—a reminder that it is us humans who are the interlopers here on earth.
During an all-too-brief 24 hours together, I reveled in the laughter you only share with a true friend. I watched the positive, can-do attitude of two women who are facing more than their share of uncertainty in just about every area of life. And I realized I need to watch my thoughts, lest I be tempted to whine about my what-ifs.
As we parted ways, one was headed to finish cleaning the remnants of her former life out of her house before moving on to parts unknown. Somewhere in there sits a month in Majorca to try to sort it all out. The other was headed to her former home to take a few favorite plants and flowers to her new temporary digs. Both were energized and facing uncertainty head on. Both were solely in the moment.
As I drove home, I stopped by a country nursery brimming with flowers of every size and color—choosing a few to add beauty to my back-deck view. I had plenty of work awaiting me when I returned but the flowers seemed to take precedence.
And that’s when it hit me.
God had spoken to me for about 24 hours straight. Without saying a word.
And my shoulders had taken a much needed vacation from my ears.
Hallelujah.
candidkay 
I enjoyed this theme very much. Taking that ‘bridge over troubled waters’ and just getting away from ‘woe-is-me’ once in awhile is a wonderful idea, even for those of us who have a seemingly ‘normal’ life. Great advice and be well. Happy Thanksgiving! (I know, you wrote this awhile ago but I’m still playing catch up)
Oh, nature is such a healer, isn’t she? Wishing you a dose of it during your holiday season:).
A lovely post, Kristine. Thank you for taking us along with you…
And thank you for the kind words!
How lovely and blessed are the minutes, hours or days when we are taken outside of our concerns, given respite, throughout interactions with loved ones, nature or a change in activity. I’m glad you found such a time with your friends.
Oh so true. Trying to find more of those times . . .
It’s like the poem, Footprints In The Sand. He’s there even when you didn’t notice. So glad you had a little rejuvenation😊
So true, George! Love that analogy:).
So glad you found space. Beautiful post. ❤️
Thank you:). Wishing you the same!
I love how God speaks to us in so many ways; each time in precisely the way we need it.
Yes! Emphasis on “need.” It’s not always the way we want it:).
Thank you – this was a great God looking over at you, and giving you a little something to help you. Of course, you need to be ready, so good for you. Sweetgrass, farms, and meadows – OK – now I am just jealous. Thank you – Spyro
I won’t challenge you on the jealousy–I’d be jealous too! Peace and quiet are hard to come by these days . . .
That’s the kind of deity that speaks to me, the presence of the world reminding us what’s important.
The trick in today’s world is getting quiet enough to hear it:).
That paints a beautiful picture and a sequence of events we should all do at least once in a while. Thank you for making the start of this day better.
Blessings to you from across the pond:).
Another beautifully written post. I am so glad you found the space you needed. It can get crowded up there, so every once in a while we need to stop and appreciate the turkeys. Love this!
Yes! The REAL turkeys rather than the human ones so many of us must deal with each day :-).
Ha! Exactly!
Beautiful. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you! For stopping by my blog and for the kind comment.
Oh my, Kristine. One of your loveliest posts. When you can’t make it out to a beautiful space such as this, dive into the work of Richard Jefferies, William Henry Hudson or Mary Webb. Three of my favorite nature writers. Their work will take you where you need to go. All best to you and your friends.
Thank you! Both for the kind words and the recs. I am not familiar with those writers so now I have the delicious anticipation of knowing I can discover some new sources of inspiration:).
wonderful!! God’s SO good — He gives quiet space, laughter, friends, nature, room to be ourselves, and to get over ‘stuff’. In short, He makes every day a journey worth being on.
He certainly came through for me this weekend! 🙂
These moments of clarity and connection that you share Kristine, are always appreciated. There is so much pain in the world, and so slowing down to see what is there for us, even in the pain, is how we all heal. Beautiful 🌸💐🌸
Thank you:). Slowing down felt soooo good!
You my friend have ‘touched’ an incredible wisdom. Being able to ‘see’ what has always been there, but blinded by our walls of life.
A ‘stop and smell the roses’ type thing. Now you can stand in it, by being that way every day. Your heart will guide you, as it did with those lovely friends going through ‘their’ time, as you did. Welcome healer of hearts, may that glow only get brighter ❤
Thanks, Mark! I’m trying to keep the glow. Daily life may get in the way but it’s certainly a reminder to unplug more often:).
Well done, sister.
Thank you:). I have a feeling that being at your house is the equivalent of a relaxing weekend in the country :-).
love this 🙂
Thank you:). Wishing you a similar weekend!
I’d love that! Was thinking that as I read x