The Campfire Is CallingSample

Resetting the Balance

I can’t keep quiet about You. God, my God, I can’t thank You enough.

PSALM 30:12 THE MESSAGE

Part of the enjoyment of having a campfire is listening to the sounds it makes. The hissing, crackling, popping, and snapping are somehow soothing. The sounds hold our attention. We feel thankful for the time we have to sit, relax, and reflect. Our minds and bodies rest for a little while, distant from the rush and routine of our days. Whatever pulls us into a peaceful mode is always a good thing. And whatever produces a quiet, calm, and thankful spirit in us is a great thing. It’s the kind of thing we should commit to doing on a regular basis.

Even when we don’t necessarily feel like making the effort to create spaces to get out of our routine and enjoy some rest, in hindsight we’re always happy we did. It gives us a chance to break from the rut and reconnect with God, which is the most restorative thing we can do. Meditating on what God has done or is doing in our lives influences what people will hear when they listen to us. We want them to hear things that make them think about God’s love and goodness. We want our words to bring joy, courage, gratefulness, and hope. We want them to know that they’re loved, completely and without a single condition.

The time we put into restoring our souls and resetting the balance we need in our lives is vital. Somewhere amid the ongoing obligations and pressures of our days, it’s important for us to make peace a priority. We need time to reflect and reconnect. We need time to cultivate a grateful heart. When we do, every part of our life comes into better balance, and everyone in our life can see and hear the difference it makes.

Dear God, I ask You to stir a more grateful spirit in me as I center my thoughts on You and make time to do things that nurture peace in my life.