The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
and makes me walk on my high places.
Habakkuk 3:19 (NASB)

Our morning hike around Jordon Pond had exhilarated me with its quiet beauty along a path that led through shaded forest, climbing over boulders along the water’s edge, and balancing on wooden planks over muddy swampland.  I was singing on the inside as I ended the 3 mile loop and rounded the bend, almost running right into a deer feeding in front of me. My husband stopped me with his hand; startled I looked at him and he nodded towards the path ahead.  We stood and watched for a while as the deer fed.  We could have reached out and touched him.  He never heard us coming.

Sometimes I am left breathless by what I see when I learn to still myself and embrace God’s silence.  When we wait on Him and accept His mystery, we discover gifts we never knew were close at hand.  I had spent years keeping busy, going through the motions of my daily tasks and responsibilities.  When hurting, it was better to keep going than to stop and feel.  Until one day my husband took me by the hand and began to teach me to pause ….to notice! And I’ve been slowing down ever since to search for God’s beauty, even when there seems none to be found.

When God is silent and it doesn’t appear that He hears our cries for help, we can be sure His presence goes with us. Our hardships perplex us, and we question their purpose.  But He is on the same path with us and already sees what is around the bend.  We learn to trust our Guide when His hand reaches out and stills our steps.  We turn towards Him and quietly wait for His leading.  We go forward in hope, climbing surefooted like a deer on mountain heights, knowing that where God leads is the safest place.   We do not slip as we look down at the steep climb and He gives us the strength to finish. We are never alone!

You who have been borne by Me from birth
And Have been carried from the womb;
Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it , and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you. 
Isaiah 46:3-4 (NASB)

Our God never changes; He walks with us and carries our burdens even to our old age. So we accept the quiet stillness and embrace His mystery. He is worthy of our trust and will protect and deliver us!

Blessings can be found in His silence!

Lily Mae