Lightkeeper's Journal

Rest

Photography and Thoughts by Norma Beaird

 

Rest...

I have always believed that peace and rest are greatly underrated. We live in a culture where we must constantly be "doing something". Even a vacation or weekend trip must be full of activities and movement from dawn to dusk.

 

Will the next generation ever learn from us

...that it's okay to rest and be quiet?

 

Sometimes, we just need to slow down and break from the endless cycle of being busy. I don't say this out of a judgmental spirit; but, it's no wonder that people cannot function without alcohol, anti-depressants, or a stop by the vape shop. And, if we don't rest, never stop moving, and continue to abuse our bodies, it will finally negatively affect our immune system. 

 

Many people live in constant stress and chaos. Their bodies and their minds never rest until they collapse into bed at night. Access to technology constantly stimulates our brain. Even God rested on the 7th day during Creation. We need to take a cue from the Lord. Sometimes, we need to say "No" to another busy assignment or politely decline an activity that will bring on more stress or dread.

 

This is not about shirking responsibility. It's about creating a lifestyle of peace and sanity. Constant non-stop busyness does not enrich our soul. Quiet walks, meditating on the Lord, and sitting in a chair by the river will bring peace, rest and tranquility to a weary spirit. Consequently, a rested soul, mind and body is more productive when productivity really matters.

 

Genesis 2:3

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.

 

Exodus 34:21

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.

 

Mark 6:31

And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

 

 

All scriptures are King James Version.

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Memorial Day

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

 

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Don't Live in the Shallow End

 

Tybee Island, Georgia with a Ring-billed Gull Flying over the beach

 

Photography and Poem by Norma Beaird

 

Don't Live in the Shallow End

 

Choose the deep waters of life.

Choose peace, love, compassion and loyalty.

 

Embrace the beauty of nature and listen for birdsong,

Rejoice in the sunshine and bask in the light of the moon. 

 

Learn lessons in the midst of the wilderness,

Cry and pray, for the tears that flow are cleansing to the soul.  

 

Be still and listen in the silence of the forest,

Be thankful for the rain and the rainbow that follows.

 

If you chase after everything that is money-driven,

you will live your life in the shallow end.

 

Those who live their life in the shallow end

will never dive into the deep spiritual truths of God.

 

You will always wonder why you're never at peace.

The things of this world are temporary.

 

The gifts of God are eternal.

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Fog

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

Article by Norma Beaird

 

FOG...

Fog in the atmosphere.
Fog on the road.
Fog after the rain.
Fog on my path.
Fog in my mind.

No matter where the fog has manifest, prayer is the answer.

Fog, sunshine, rain, clouds, more fog and then blue skies.
This is basically life. One day, the skies are blue and the sun is shining. The next day it's cold, damp and gray. And then, you wake up to a very dense and unexpected fog.

Sometimes, our minds are clear with happy thoughts, forward movement, and looking for a bright future and everything that life may hold for us. The next day, we wake up in discouragement, pain and near hopelessness of thought.

Then sometimes, in the midst of the dense, overwhelming fog, where you can't see your way clear, the Lord sends a bright ray of light, both in the physical and the spiritual. Nature has a way of teaching us about the love and mercy of God.

LESSONS I've learned about FOG:

It doesn't last forever, sometimes it's mere hours.

The Lord is still there, even in the midst of the fog.

The sun's rays will peak through the fog and allow you to see your way clear, both physically and spiritually.

The dark gray fog will make the sunshine and blue skies seem much more beautiful.....because you've been in the darkness and now you see the light.

No matter the reason for your personal FOG, whether it's sickness, discouragement, depression, rocky relationships or unexpected problems on the job.... your answer is GOD. Only the Lord can cure what ails us both physically and spiritually. It's in the denseness of the fog that we learn our most valuable spiritual lessons.  Allow God to shine His light of love upon your situation. 

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 9:2

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

John 12:35

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

All scriptures are King James Version.

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.