Thursday, March 24, 2011

Allow Time For Your Heart To Be Quiet


I recently went on a trip to Tennessea. Me and my friend, Jackie had recently gotten in contact again and within 2 days we decided to go on a roadtrip 800+ miles away. Spur of the moment of course but well worth the trip.


In those two days I had a strong feeling that I was going to die on this trip, believing this feeling I made sure I told everyone around me how to find me if something happened. I went out of my way to leave all contact info with all close to me. At the time I wasnt sure why I had this horriable feeling but I believed it with all my heart. I was scared of this feeling, but something told me it was ok, you will find peace.


As I arrived to pick up Jackie from her house I was able to spend a few hours with her and her family before we departed on this trip. Jackie, she has always been a great person to be around. But I noticed a difference in her eyes. The only thing I could think of to make this difference was her husband. (When we were close, she was a single mom) I remember thinking, Im so happy for her to finally find true love.


As we loaded up the car and said goodbye to her family, her husband requested that we pray before our travel, and we did.


We had a long trip to our destination drove all night and finally arrived in Gatlinburg, TN. around 6:30 that morning. Our hotel wouldnt let us check in because there were no available rooms. We decided to grab breakfast at the local Shoneys to waste time. As we fixed our plates and as I was about to put a bite in my mouth, Jackie spoke up and said, lets pray first. As a adult I have never prayed in public, and sadly part of me felt embarrassed. Jackie continued with the prayer and we ate.


After our breakfast, only a short time had passed and we couldnt keep our eyes opened anymore. So we decided to suck up the cost and get a hotel. We knew we would only be sleeping for a few hours and then checking into our other hotel but we decided the money would be worth it. So we checked into a best western, slept til 3 in the afternoon and checked out so we could check in the orignal hotel. When I turned in the keys the man behind the counter asked why we were leaving so early and I explained to him why and he told me that he would refund some of our money, as he handed my card and reciept back I noticed it was for the full amount. He looked at me and said, "Yall enjoy your stay and welcome to Gods country." WOW was my thought. I told Jackie and she said, God is good.


That evening we decided to walk down to the city instead of waiting on the trolly and we had a amazing time. We rode the ski lift, went up the tower, and walked around the shops. Night had fallen and we decided it was time to get back to our hotel. As we walked towards the hotel, the crowds were diminishing and this part of the town was quiet. Hardly any traffic and people on foot. In front of us walking our way was 3 guys, I looked at Jackie and made sure she was aware of what was coming our way. Jackie said, Its okay. We noticed one of the guys had bent down to tie his shoe, and we could tell he was taking his time as we slowly approached and his two friends were just starring. Jackie said, its ok. We walked by and Jackie said, hi how you with a smile. As we passed I glanced over my shoulder and one of the guys turned around and started walking our way, I let Jackie know and she said ITS OK. A few moments later, I glanced over my shoulder and sure enough, no men in sight and we were right at our hotel.


The next day we continued our sight seeing in the mountains, we stopped off to zip line through the mountains. This was an amazing adventure. I was terrified but so glad I did it.


We made our way to Cades Cove. 11 mile drive that takes you to the valley of the mountains. Nothing but meadow and mountain landscape. One spot we came to we decided to get out of the vechile and just sit in the meadow for a lil while.


In this meadow, something AMAZING happened to me. I felt an overwhelming calm come over my heart. I felt arms wrap around me. I heard the voice that said, come home, lay your worries on me. I heard the voice reassure me that I was going to be ok. I wasnt scared, I didnt run for the hills, I stayed still and I listened. God spoke to my heart, God broke my stone heart and replaced it with a new heart in that meadow. My old self died in that meadow and I was born again. No words can explain the true experience I had, all I can say was that it was AMAZING.


For the past months I have felt God pulling on me but I just would never allow my heart to be quiet. To listen to what he had to say. I felt I never had the time to allow my heart to be quiet.


In that meadow, this trip allowed me to be quiet. Some people might say, that God found me in that meadow but I say no, I found God. God has always been with me tugging on my heart. But in this trip in the mist of being quiet I finally heard God, felt GOD. In being quiet, letting my heart be still I heard him clearly, I didnt think, maybe it was just me. No there is no doubt that this was GOD.


I realized the feeling I had before this trip was God telling me that I was going to die, my old spirit was going to die. I just didnt listen, I thought it was the end of me. I believe God allowed this trip to happen because he knew that this was the only way I would listen, the only way I would allow my heart to be quiet. I believe God chose Jackie as my travel partner to show me that having a close relationship with God is possiable and to show me the true happiness that comes with walking with God. Jackie was a example to me from God. Jackie, is patient with life, people, and words. As is God. When you see Jackie and when you hear Jackie you know God is forefront in her life. She is truly close with God and that shines through her soul.


Some people might say, well maybe you think you had this experience because of what Jackie said to you or blah blah. But I tell you. All that Jackie did on that trip was Pray in front of me. She did not talk about her walk with God during the stay in TN. On our way home, as we crossed the ARK. line me and Jackie did start talking about the bible and our life with God. This took place after I found God. As I heard her testament, I realized that the true love she found was not her husband but it was GOD.


Im thankful for my friend Jackie, for not showing me the way to God, but for showing me life with God.


I thank God for allowing me to be at a place where I could listen. Dont get me wrong, I dont think that a trip across country is the only way you can hear God. Im saying God knew this is what I needed. It taught me that in order to hear God you must be quiet within your soul. I will always make time to be quiet and to listen more carefully.


I know some people think that maybe I shouldnt have takin this trip because of my job and finances but I believe it was Gods will.


I know my walk with God will not be easy, I know the worldly way will step up its game and try to bring me back down. I know my relationship with God will be tested as all relationships are. But I know deep in my heart, the test I will come across I will beable to cross. I know I wont fall because God is there to catch me and show me the light. I know I will walk through the darkness but with God beside me he will shine the light to see me through. I know that the worries of my mind are no longer carried solely by me but shared with God. I know God.

1 comment:

  1. Twice now I've had this brilliant and articulate response written and lost it somehow. I just wanted you to know how brilliant I think this post really is.

    People do not take time to listen to God. We are too loud, too busy, too frantic, and too absorbed with ourselves to pay attention to His quiet whisperings. We only infrequently take time to listen to Him, and then when uninspired mortals contradict His counsels, we often disregard them. As such, we miss out on some of the sweetest and most intimate personal revelation available to the family of Man.

    I really like how you phrased it, "allow time for your heart to be quiet". Absolutely brilliant phrase. I will quote you with your permission in a book I'm writing.

    ReplyDelete