Journal Entry #13 October 19, 2002

"My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him."
Psalm 62:1

I've started trying to get out and exercise more. Since I have been here I haven't exercised at all and I can feel it. So.... a few days after my birthday, during my "slump", I decided that it was time to get out there and start taking steps to feel better. So, I'm walking. I've found some footpaths that I really love and they are near our church office, so they are easy to get to. Now granted, I've only been out there twice, BUT.... I'm already feeling better! The time out there has been good to think, meditate and enjoy the outdoors. An all-around good decision.

Yesterday, as I walked, I meditated on the short verse, "My soul finds rest in God alone." Over and over, as my feet pounded the path I repeated the phrase. Almost as if I came to believe the verse more and more as I repeated it. "My soul finds rest in God alone. My soul finds rest in God alone. My soul finds rest in God alone...." My quick paced walk became a jog along the trail. "My soul finds rest in God alone." My thoughts were focused. "My soul finds rest in God alone." My heart was beating: "My soul finds rest in God alone." I reached a clearing and it was almost as if I wanted to throw my arms into the air in a victorious stance and scream at the top of my lungs.... MY SOUL FINDS REST IN GOD ALONE! But, I refrained.... The English are a reserved people and I really didn't want to make a scene. But, for all intensive purposes, my insides were screaming and my heart agreed. For that moment in time, my soul was resting in God.... alone.

An hour later, when I made it back to my car, changed my shoes and sank into my Renault's well-worn seat, I turned on my stereo and relaxed to the sound of a Matthew Perryman Jones CD, which Meghan Webb just sent me in the mail. In the song that started playing, he says, "...The sight I've lost is now the faith I've found...." And that's where I am right now. Learning to live by faith. Day by day. Moment by moment. Trusting God for what I need, knowing that He will always supply. And I guess, come to think of it, that's where we all are.... Learning how to live by faith. He is so good to us. He loves us continually. Inviting us to come and be fed and to be held and to be cared for and to be loved and to.... that's right.... find rest in Him alone.