"I went to Lake Bonny Park for this assignment, and I stayed there for at least 50 minutes."

Sometimes you just have to stop and take in beauty.

As I sat and just enjoyed reality, enjoyed the light, enjoyed the breeze, enjoyed the heat on my cheeks, enjoyed the shadows of the trees - I began to appreciate beauty all over again. Not only did I appreciate beauty, but I appreciated the creator of this beauty. What a spiritual moment to truly be still and know that He is God.

As I read the poem "Messenger" through numerous times the words seemed to come off the page. My work at that moment was truly to love the world. I honestly understood that nature was seeking sweetness. The fields were rejoicing. I was living forever in that moment. This poem should become a spiritual practice, because in this moment I was reminded how small I am in this beautiful creation, how small the cares of the world really are, how big our creator truly is and how little I can control.

The reality of God's sovereignty brings both humility and relief in equal measure. I am inadequate, in my weakness He is strong, many are the plans in my heart but thankfully it is HIS will that prevails. Ahh, all of this from the simple act of being still. Yet how rare of an occasion it is for me to stop, be still and know. The noise seems endless, the tasks pile on, the to-do list grows longer and longer, the worries filtrate in at an overwhelming rate, the needs of people are disheartening, money is always lacking, tomorrow is always too early and today isn't long enough, do-do-do, go-go-go that is the music of the world.

However, when I stopped I didn't hear the deafening racket that my life often plays, I heard a Jack Johnson beat and felt God's peace all around me.