Tuesday, March 15, 2011

the secret place

This is my secret place.

This is where I come when my soul is heavy, burdened, overjoyed, yearning...

I love to come here, especially when the weather is as beautiful as it has been these past few days. Here my soul can breathe. Sometimes I just lay down on the grass and gaze at the sky. As I lay there with the wind blowing softly against my cheek, I talk to my Maker. Here all distractions are put aside and I simply listen to what He may say. Here I pour out my heart.

To be perfectly honest, I have had so much on my mind lately that I can hardly process it all. It seems like I have seen or heard about an insurmountable quantity of needs. I want to do something, but am at a loss when I think about where to start. I've also had lots of dreams. Not necessarily the kind you have in your sleep though. These are dreams - big dreams- for my future, for my life, for things I feel like the LORD is calling me to do. They overwhelm and excite me all at the same time. 

I feel so small.

I fear failure.

I'm not sure how my life makes a difference.

And this is where all of my fears, hopes and dreams are released. Sure, this is just an ordinary place but it is precious to me all the same. 



Most times I come, many pages of that notebook are filled with thoughts and scripture.




His Word pierces me so sharply here.




I suppose it is the romantic in me that loves to 'run away' to this place. I've always loved to 'run away' to secret places in nature to think, even as a child. Something about it sets my heart free to run wild, helps me breathe deeply and focuses my mind on the Eternal.

I am so very thankful that my sweet Savior meets me here. It doesn't matter if I'm angry, hurt, happy or confused - He is ever with me. I really should quiet my heart like this more often. It's funny how the cares of the world fade away when I do.



What is your secret place?




34 comments:

Brooke T said...

This is so wonderful. I love the one of you reading. I don't have a secret place but I sure wish I did!

elizabeth said...

Aw this is a good post. Reading it, I realized that I don't have a "place" Usually I go for a drive. Now I am inspired to find myself the perfect place.
As for your dreams for the future, I have learned it's best to not worry about them. Know that God has your best interest at heart, and won't let you fail.

Thanks for a great post. :)
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Love this!! Makes me so excited to go to my 'secret place'. I have two places where I like to go. The first is under this big tree out in a park near my house. I usually bike over there when its warm out and bring a blanket, my bible, journal, and ipod.
But when I want to be farther away from the suburbs, I take a drive out to the state park and go into the woods with my camer, ipod, bible and journal. I'll snap photos while listening to music, and then find a place to sit and read some. I love going out there just to spend time alone with God. It's always so peaceful, and I feel great. Cannot wait for it to get warmer so I can go back to my places. It's still in the 30s here, so just a bit longer to wait. But excited!! :)

Cory said...

This is a really beautiful post. Thanks for letting us into your little place :)

Amber Noella said...

You & I are so alike. I really love this post.
I have several secret places. One where I grew up (& where my grandparents still live) on the roof of an old shed or on the roof of their house. And behind that house is a thing I sit on overlooking the field. And then here in the city where I live now, I go outside behind the house under this tree.

You took some gorgeous pictures!!!

Morgan Paige said...

i love this post!!!

Alexis Kaye said...

You are an inspiration! A true Christian! Your passion is admirable! And I'm totally with you. There's something spiritual and freeing about being in nature.

melissa said...

Inspiring post as they all are =)
I haven't really got a secret place other than lighting candles in my room in the evening with some soft background music and read my bible =)

Also, I wanted to tell you that (since you are a follower of mine; was Love & Life now champagne wishes.) I have had some issues with my new blog set up, tried to create a new one under the same account with similar issues so I have created a new account under a new e-mail address & I wanted to make sure I tell all of my followers so if you follow me at http://melissa-champagnewishes.blogspot.com that would be so greatly appreciated! I will (when I get to it) unfollow you from my old account which I won't use anymore and re-follow you with my new one(this one)! Thanks again! Have a great week! xo melissa

Olga Marquez said...

This is so great to have a place you can get away from everything and just focus on the Word of God and what He has for you. It gets tough finding that little place when you have little ones... so enjoy being able to just get up and go to that special place of yours!! thats so cool that you do this!

God bless*

Samantha said...

Looks like such a great place :) I love finding those spots were you can just be alone with HIM :)

Nicole Dianne said...

I love this! I wish I had a secret place, makes me want to find one.

♥ CheChe said...

I have a couple of secret places but I don't take advantage of them as often as I did when I was that on fire few months old believer. I love how the LORD can make any place that we devote purely to HIM and HIS WORD a special place and a place that allows us to truly be enveloped by HIM. A retreat I went to focused on the relationship of CHRIST and just how much he begs and beckons us away from this world to come away with HIM as HIS BRIDE :). He gave us such amazing intuition and hearts of feeling and imagination and HE INTENDED IT TO BE FOR HIM first and foremost :). I love our King, Our Savior our Man. He cherishes the moments you spoke of and I love that I have a blog that allows me to feel like I am NOT the only one in this world who is in LOVE with GOD...

May he continue to woo you with HIS WORD and HIS LOVE for you girl!!

And that verse "i will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless" PIERCING is the perfect human adjective for what that scripture brings to the table. WHEW!


♥cheche

Jen Hammer said...

Love it! There was a park right across the street from my old house that I would spend so much of my time at. As wonderful as quiet time/praying is in the comfort of your own home, it's also so nice to get out and enjoy the nature and the beauty in it that God blessed us with and gave us to enjoy.

Evie said...

I love this. You call it an "Ordinary place" at the same time, but if you think about it, isn't an ordinary place possibly the best place? An ordinary place where God's creation hasn't been disturbed so much by greedy, selfish societies. That's what I want in a secret place.

But currently, my secret place is a local coffeehouse. Big comfy chairs and independent radio help me absorb his awesomeness.

Katherine Michael said...

Oh my gosh! I have the same journal! I got it at Barnes and Noble like a year and a half ago hoping to fill it's pages much faster than I have...right now i'm about 3/4 of the way though.

Also, there's something about spending time with the Lord outside that makes it all the more sweet and precious. I can't wait for warmer weather to be consistent so my soul can be refreshed!

Shelly Tutt said...

Hi Jennifer!

I lurve that you have a secret place!
And I really lurve this post!
Very inspirational!
Thanks for sharing!

Love,
Shelly xo

Unknown said...

Beautifully written. Oh how this makes me long for the weather to get warmer here. MY secret place is a path close to my parents house, we call "The Lane". Oh my, it is magical back there. I love the way the Lord speaks to my heart, and in that "secret place", I feel so much love and light.

Ohhh, I am longing for SPRING!

Hopeandarrow said...

I feel so close to God when I'm outside. I need to find a new secret place. I used to sneak away during my lunch break to go sit on a bench outside and read the bible. I especially love doing this in the spring and fall.

Jhen.Stark said...

I love that you go to a park for a "secret place"!

I don't have one, but I'm truly inspired to get one. I like to creep out of bed early and sit in the dark and read and write and pray... but a secret place away sounds so inviting!

Julie said...

I think it is so great you have a place like this. A place to study, ponder, speak and listen. I find that listening is the hardest for me personally. A place in nature is a wonderful place to commune and feel the Spirit. I need to find myself a place like this.

Pearl said...

Oh I love these set of picture.
I would have to say my secret place is very similar to yours..whenever i find that quiet moment wether its at a park on a bench, on a quilt in the backyard, or on my sofa while my son naps, I love to take out my bible and just read.

Pearl

Maggy said...

it looks like a fine way to spend the afternoon :) God definitely meets us in the quiet time

Rylie Renee said...

pretty!

AND, i was reading and found the same bible verse! God is so great, isn't He?!

-Ry

Branson said...

I love this post! I have always found it easier to focus on God when I am out in nature, away from all of the ditractions! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Woohoo! I am loving hearing all these responses guys. It's so cool to hear about all of your secret places, or ones you wish you had. It is amazing how God speaks to each of us individually!

Jennifer Fabulous said...

Wow this is so beautifully written and these photos are gorgeous. :) You're so lucky to have such a breathtakingly serene secret place. It sounds kind of magical, actually.

I wish I could say I have a secret place that is just as cool. But, in reality, the only place around here I go to when I need to think is my car. I like to drive out in the country to mull over stressful situations...

Off Label Mama said...

I just found your blog through "beautiful journey's." I had one or two secret places when I lived in Pittsburgh, PA but now that I've moved to Michigan, I need to find a new place to go... But I completely agree with you regarding the mentality of having that haven to retreat to.

Megan said...

Oh gosh, what a beautiful post!! I love that you have a secret place and that you seek God there. I can only imagine how happy that makes our Lord!! I think my secret place is my car. I love to drive and sing and think and pray...all in the car. It's such a great alone spot.

Unknown said...

Thanks for joining and following my blog. I absoulutly LOVE the photos on your blog. I look forward to seeing more of your blog

Lori said...

No secret place, but this particular post reminds me of how in need I am of a new bible. My bible is a teen devotional, back fom when I was in high school and could relate to the devotionals they provided inside. but the main reason why I need a new one is that from isaiah on, the pages fell apart and are just ... floating around inside the spine. Yikes.

Shay said...

Those are beautiful pictures- it is so much easier to feel Gods love and appreciate his beauty when you are outside! I don't have a secret place, but I love sitting in the sun reading scripture anyplace!

Laura Nelson said...

this is a sweet post, you inspire me to go outside with my little pink bible :)
xoxo

L.J. said...

Oh my goodness, I love your blog and love that I just randomly stumbled upon it this eve before I curled up in my bed.
tHaNkYoU!
I will be following!
Thanks so much! My secret place is the old salt lake city graveyard. I've walked there every day of my life.

you can see my blog at:
laurenruthie.blogspot.com
xoxo

Courtney B said...

What a gorgeous place to escape to and let your relationship with God grow!!
I am LOVING your blog!!

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