Cushion of the Sea

"There is what is called the 'cushion of the sea.' Down beneath the surface that is agitated by storms, and driven about with winds, there is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When we dredge the bottom and bring up the remains of animal and vegetable life we find that they give evidence of not having been disturbed in the least, for hundreds and thousands of years. The peace of God is that eternal calm which, like the cushion of the sea, lies far too deep down to be reached by any external trouble and disturbance; and he who enters into the presence of God, becomes partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm."  Dr. A. T. Pierson

After putting down the two inch Christian History book I couldn't get into, I picked up a friend. It's been over 30 years since my friend, Jeanne, gave me a copy of Streams in the Desert. It was my primary devotion book for a number of years as I learned how to deal with and overcome the trials of life through the many readings in this book. Jeanne's been gone now for several years, but my heart will always remember her when I pick up this book.

The top quote is from the October 20th selection in Streams in the Desert, accompanied by a most loved verse from Philipians 4:7: "And the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

The first verse of a poem, title missing, by Harriet Beecher Stowe expresses it so well:

"When winds are raging o'er the upper ocean,
And billows wild contend with angry roar,
'Tis said, far down beneath the wild commotion,
That peaceful stillness reignth evermore."

Ah, the cushion of the sea. Do you have it? That undescribable feeling of well being that can't be pushed away. It's yours for the asking.

The other week we drove out to Western Maryland to get some snaps of the fall colors. I was a little disappointed in the colors, and had to enhance them to bring them out. The first two snaps I've enhanced. The snap directly above is sitting on my front step. I love the colors in it!

One sign, below, that we found on a mountain road delighted me--not that bears are killed, but that there are bears! We drove up a mountain to an overlook I remembered and as we were driving back down the other side the sign caught my attention immediately! The paper recently reported that 94 bears were killed in Western Maryland during bear season this year. I didn't realize we had so many bears in Maryland, and that's only the ones killed. I'll have to find a good bear watching place out there! I'm still looking for a wild bear to snap! It's one of my life's dreams.

The beginning of my third year of retirement is here. I've noticed I'm still learning to slow down, realizing I don't have to be active all the time or do things quickly. There's plenty of time for everything.

I'm so glad I picked up my friend and was reminded once again, of the peace of God that is ever present, deep down in my soul! I've enjoyed reading from it several mornings now, and think it's time to reread this devotion book and find the encouraging words each day! Even the encourager needs to be encouraged!