Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him. – Psalm 62:5

Yesterday, in the middle of all the busyness and doing the taxes and continuing to move in and the long list of details, three things happened that helped to ground me.

First, Rebekah and I taking time – taking pause – at the end of breakfast for our devotional routine. Scripture, a reflection, prayer.

Then, walking a block and a half to the east to Calvary Episcopal Church for the funeral of a friend’s brother. The old church, the familiar words of the scriptures, reflections on a good man who lived a meaningful life, walking through the ancient churchyard for the internment of his ashes amidst the blossoms of the azalea and the dogwood. Again, taking pause.

Lastly a drive through the quiet farmland between Tarboro and Macclesfield, before rolling up to the lovely piece of property where Max Retriever had spent the day getting pampered and beautified with a bath and a haircut. It is impossible not to feel my blood pressure ramp down in such surroundings.

Life comes at us hard and fast sometimes. So I try to spend more time listening to God, taking pause and simply being mindful of the beauty and the truth that is the inherent goodness of life.

In love, and because of love – DEREK