Heaven's Perspective - Encouragement Café - December 8, 2014
Heaven's Perspective
Café Menu for day, December , 2014
Today’s Special is: Retreat!
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Dawn Aldrich
Main Ingredient:
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!"
Mark 1:35-37 NIV
Entrée:
When life comes at you like a freight train - full speed ahead - it's all you can do to hang on tight. There's barely time to think, no warning, no preparing or packing a bag - only time to react and latch onto whatever is in front of you until the train stops.
The unexpected happens all the time - life and death - but when they couple themselves together and come one after the other, our minds can't catch up with our hearts. In every crisis, whether good or bad, there's always stuff to be done - responsibilities and loose ends to tie up - for those holding up the arms of loved ones.
And when that freight train comes to a screeching halt - even for a brief moment - we find ourselves disheveled, speechless, utterly weary and maybe even a bit numb. We feel neither joy nor sorrow because we've been so busy caring for others that we've pushed our own emotions aside. All we want is solace. Quiet. Retreat.
Isn't that exactly what Jesus felt?
After a day of teaching and healing and crowds pushing in, He rested. And in the dark, just before sunrise, Jesus retreated to a quiet place, alone - far away from the crowds and people who needed His touch. And while He was there, He spent time alone with His Father - where I imagine He cried, prayed, and received encouragement, refreshment and empowerment to see things from heaven's perspective once again.
We all need those times, don't we?
We need time alone with our Father to cry it all out, to share what's on our hearts, to listen for His voice and receive the encouragement and empowerment that comes only by spending time in His presence. Let's take time to refocus, zoom out from the immediate circumstances and refocus on God's higher perspective.
Take Out:
When you feel spent, what's your favorite place to retreat?
How do you draw God close when you can barely utter a word?
Dessert:
Abba, for those of us feeling weary and utterly exhausted, please provide us space and time to be alone with You. Wrap Your arms around us. Renew us with Your Holy Spirit’s Strength and fill us with Your Hope and Peace. Help us to mount up on wings like eagles.
For more encouragement, visit Dawn at Dawn’s New Day where an ordinary woman writes about her extraordinary God.
© 2014 by Dawn Aldrich. All rights reserved.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Pull up a chair… He’s been waiting for you.
Need a refill? Please join us at the Encouragement Café with Luann and Friends.
The conversation at the Café is always hot and fresh. We invite you to listen in as Luann and Friends gather around the table to discuss everyday life.
Comfort food for your soul is always on our menu, and friends are always close enough to hug. We invite you to join us daily, as our writer’s share how the Lord continues to transform them into His glorious image.
Still craving more…Join us as we grow together in grace and truth through our online bible study.
Stop by Encouragement Café and listen as the girls share life. Find podcasts, videos, Bible studies, prayer, resources and daily helpings of hope, laughter and friendship around our table. We've saved a seat just for you!
