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April 15, 2016

Smooth Waters

15 Comments/ 2559/ 2

I have had some time to think and read this week and it has been good.  I have always believed that we go through seasons in our lives—some seasons are like spring and full of hope and new beginnings and fresh stuff. Some times our lives are like summer where we feel carefree—run through sprinklers, eat ice cream and stay up late playing or in my case sitting outside on the deck reading. Then there is fall. Fall is kind of a time of kicking into high gear—being motivated with the start of school and especially when I worked in the church—lots of great new opportunities and activities. Winter brings a sense of cold with it and sometimes hibernation when you don’t feel like doing a whole lot and just cocoon. At least that is kind of how I feel.

I was trying to think what season I am in right now and I think it is a mixture. And maybe I need to kick it into high gear and move into fall instead of being complacent and satisfied with the fun stuff of my “summerness”.

I was reading one of my all time favorite books “My Utmost for his Highest” by Oswald Chambers. My copy is falling apart but I wouldn’t trade it . I did buy a new modern copy but I find myself going back to my original book because it is familiar and marked up with my comments and underlinings. I have given this book away to lots of folks. Sometimes he is too deep for me to understand but he makes me think and thinking is what I need to be doing more of.

A recent selection talked about moving out of the smooth waters inside the harbor . But it is so nice here.  It is so calm and serene and everything falls into place.  I like it in the smooth harbors, This is what Chamber says:

If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all of your time in the smooth waters just inside the harbor bar, full of delight but always moored, you have to get out through the harbor bar into the great deeps of God and begin to know for yourself, begin to have spiritual discernment.

But the harbor is so safe and serene.  It is quiet and predictable.  I like predictable.  I like routine and knowing what lies ahead. But that is not always the direction that God is directing me.  When I reflect on the times of my deepest spiritual and individual growth it has been during times of challenge and rough waters.  So perhaps today I need to balance my time between the smooth waters of the harbor and choppier waters that lie beyond the harbor.

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15 Comments

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  1. Darlene
    April 15, 2016 at 06:28 am

    So true my friend. I have always liked this quote. “A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are made for.” William G.T. Shedd. I guess we could say that is not what humans are made for either. Thanks for your inspirational musings. xo

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 15, 2016 at 09:15 am

      Great quote—that is one I am going to have to write down and save.

      Reply
  2. Dianna
    April 15, 2016 at 08:39 am

    There’s a saying: “Boats are safe in harbor, but that’s not what boats are for”.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 15, 2016 at 09:14 am

      Great saying and exactly correct!

      Reply
  3. Dianna
    April 15, 2016 at 08:40 am

    Well, goodness! I suppose I should read previous comments before I post mine! As my comment was posting, I read Darlene’s. Great minds think alike, I guess!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 15, 2016 at 09:14 am

      🙂

      Reply
  4. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    April 15, 2016 at 08:56 am

    As always, this thoughtful writing needs to go into that folder collection of devotionals for your book. What you write is so true. That said, I’d like to sail into the harbor for awhile and remain moored.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 15, 2016 at 09:13 am

      Amen.

      Reply
  5. Rorybore
    April 15, 2016 at 11:10 am

    Great quote, and so true. I was just thinking about this and spoke to a fellow believer about it the other day, but in terms of the disciples in the boat and the storm at sea. Of course it is safe and dry in the boat — but when (Simon) Peter saw that it was Jesus on the water; he jumped out of the boat!!! Sometimes, we need to jump out of the boat.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 18, 2016 at 07:06 pm

      Exactly right. It is not the easiest thing to do at times, though. But we must.

      Reply
  6. Jeni / JeniEats (@JeniEats)
    April 15, 2016 at 06:06 pm

    Thanks for sharing – ready for a long stretch of steady waters but I suppose we all are.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 18, 2016 at 07:06 pm

      Yes!

      Reply
  7. Thread crazy
    April 22, 2016 at 08:57 pm

    Both hubby and I feel as thought we’ve been in the “rough” waters so far this year. Maybe God was testing the seaworthiness of our boat! I’ve had to rely on my faith more than ever, but we’re still afloat and thank the Lord for his love and blessings. I’m ready for some time in the calm waters….

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 23, 2016 at 07:29 am

      I am sorry for the rough waters. They come when we least expect them it seems but hopefully you guys will be in the calmer waters soon. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

      Reply
  8. josh
    April 25, 2016 at 10:48 am

    Food for thought! Thanks as usual. I want to add to the quote mash up… Different isn’t always better, but better’s always different. Thanks for more silver linings!

    Reply

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