Finding Solace

There are places in life where we find solace. Places that conjure up feelings of nostalgia within us. A small mountain town nestled in the hills of New Mexico is that place for me. Up a sloping hill sits a cabin on the hilltop, tucked away, nestled in the trees. It’s nothing special. Just the basics. But for me, the memories in that space are worth treasure. Sitting around that fireplace with my dad and sister, making s’mores, and laughing hysterically at life. Years later, my husband going on a drive through those mountains with my dad and asking for my hand in marriage. Yet another year later, getting married in a tiny chapel in the woods surrounded by blankets of white snow at the end of December. Treasure. 

I opened the window this morning and was greeted by the crisp, cool air that signals true onset of fall. I felt teleported to that place of solace. One of my favorite times to visit is fall. Cold nights, cool days, gorgeous trees obeying their Creator as their leaves shine in brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange. It’s invigorating for the soul. 

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

I’ve been battling illness for days. This verse has been on my mind, namely because I can no longer taste anything. When one or more of our senses are dulled or absent, the others are heightened. My vision has been sharpened recently to truly see how the Lord cares for us beyond what we can imagine.

A friend randomly came by a few days ago to drop off a few food items and share a word of encouragement. She said that she wasn’t going to come but just felt the Spirit’s leading. Her obedience led to a much needed recommendation of treatment that I was fearful of trying. With her help and assurance, I was able to be more steadfast going forward. Had she not come by, I’m not sure if I would’ve had the courage to move forward. She lived out the gospel of 2 Corinthians 1:4 by comforting and helping me while I was suffering as the Lord had so graciously brought her through a similar circumstance. 

… see that the Lord is good. 

A few weeks ago, my daughter woke up ill. She despises missing school, and this day was no different. After a few minutes of trying to hold it in, she tearfully said, “I know I’m not going to be able to go to school today! I’m sick!” In our present day and time, those words can be scary. The doctor prescribed just what she needed, but by the end of the evening, she felt rotten. She opened the freezer door to pull out a mango Outshine bar from the box in the freezer. The box was empty. Insert tears and hugs as we stood in front of the freezer, empty box in hand. I texted a friend of mine and asked if there was by any stretch of luck the off chance that she had any children’s Mucinex and/or popsicles. Unbelievably, she had an unopened box of the exact kind of children’s Mucinex we needed and a whole box of mango Outshine bars. We cried harder because of sheer gratitude in knowing God is truly a God who sees us. 

… see that the Lord is good. 

I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back to the solace of the pines, but wherever I am, I see that the Lord is good. He allows us to participate with Him in the furthering of the gospel in the most unconventional of ways. Like through oatmeal packets, Mucinex and Outshine bars. 

Wherever we are today, may we find solace in knowing that He is near.