Finding Stillness While on Vacation

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VACATION TIME

Every year, we try to make a trip to Florida to visit other family members. Traveling from South Carolina, we mostly like to take backroads. They are in such a contrast to the interstate, which has many lanes and zooming traffic. Though it may take a little longer to reach our destination, we arrive much more relaxed when we travel the country roads.

Often, our destination is Redington Shores, Florida, where my husband's siblings gather once a year for a week at the beach. We leave our home a few days early to stop in Jacksonville, FL, to visit my brother and sister-in-law, my aunt, and sometimes a few friends. After Jacksonville, we travel to Brandon, Florida, to visit my other brother and his wife. Finally, we go across Tampa Bay to a condo rented and shared by family members in Redington Shores. 

We try to walk every day while at the beach. I love walking barefoot through the sand as we make our way down to the water. We walk along the edge, sometimes in the water, feeling the waves ebb and flow across our feet. We walk a ways, then turn around and head back to the condo. I often stop to take pictures of the sky, the water, the birds, or a combination of all.

FINDING STILLNESS

In the mornings, the six of us here usually eat breakfast together. Then, one reads from a devotion book written by a cousin, now with the Lord. It's a good time to think of the Lord and His blessings to us and encouragement to follow His leading. Afterward, my husband and I continue with our own devotions as we do at home.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them. Matthew 18:20

Yesterday, I had some time to relax on the condo's balcony, looking out to the beach. While there, I wrote a poem describing some sights and sounds. 

View from the Balcony

Beneath clear blue sky

Palm branches sway in the wind

Gentle waves roll in

Looking toward the horizon

On the balcony I sit

Taking in the scene

On the sandy beach

People scattered here and there

Enjoying the sun

In blue-green water

One man walks amid small waves

With his fishing line

Child jumps over waves

Others play along the shore

Seagulls loudly call

Long flat boat goes by

Topped with screen of changing ads

Looks quite out of place

 

Later in the day, I looked toward the beach and saw the water glittering in the sunshine. So, I took a picture and wrote another poem:

As sun shines brightly
Sparkles dance across water
Bird rests on the pier

EXPRESSING STILLNESS WITH POETRY

In the monthly email for the #oneword2024 Facebook group, Lisa Burgess suggests we tap into creativity and write a poem, prayer, or blessing using our word of the year. Finding time for stillness is not hard while on vacation, so I decided to take some time to write an acrostic with my word - Stillness.

Simply waiting quietly,

Taking time to rest,

In the stillness, I find

Little glimmers of sunshine,

Like beauty on a clear day.

Never underestimate God’s power.

Even when everything seems in chaos,

Still, we trust the One who gives us

Stillness and peace.

We are thankful for this time to spend with family, enjoy God's creation, relax, walk on the beach, and find refreshment. Each night, even if there are clouds, we enjoy a beautiful sunset over the water.

Lord, our Lord,

how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!

You have covered the heavens with your majesty.

Psalm 8:1

I'm linking up with: #Let'sHaveCoffee, #TellHisStory, #oneword2024