Quiet Place




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" August 28, 2002 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- By subscription only! Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" ------------------------------------------------------------ Do you have a heart-warming story to share? We are accepting story submissions at this time. Please e-mail your original story to moderator@write2theheart.com ------------------------------------------------------------- Today we have a tranquil reminder to seek a place where we can be alone with God. I wish I could visit Debra's Quite Place. It sounds so warm and inviting. ------------------------------------------------------------- The Quiet Place By Debra A. Davidson ------------------------------------------------------------- My garden seat sits snugly between two lime green shrubs in our backyard. It is shaded by the Poinciana tree which spreads it's broad branches in protection. Whenever I sit down on this little old two seater, a contented feeling comes over me as I let the stress drain from my body and allow the peace and quiet of my garden seep into every cell. As I've sat there, our little garden has been visited by a vast array of bird life and wildlife. During the day, Rainbow Lorikeets, Doves, Spangled Drongos and the Friar Bird come for a feed or a bath. Not forgetting, the Kookaburra, Butcher bird, Magpie and Galah. Lizards including the stubby little Blue Tongue scurry here and there chasing after insects to eat. My absolute favorite bird is the Pale Headed Rosella, which has its own distinct little "Tinkle Tinkle" sound as it called. Decked our in glorious lemon and blue it's beauty is subtle compared to some of the brighter coloured birds. When the sun has set and most of the birds are tucked up in their little nests for the night, more visitors arrive in the garden. The Ring Tail Possums race along the branches of the trees that line our back fence. In winter, we are blessed to have Koalas come for a visit at night and occasionally stay for a sleep in one of our trees during the day. I'll never forget the morning I was out gardening under a Paperbark Tree and looked up to see a Mother Koala and her fluffy little offspring just a few feet away. They stayed there all day, occasionally stretching and changing position as they nestled together in the fork of the tree. Every now and then I would look up at them to find the little fluff ball baby peering down at me from the comfort and protection of its Mother body. There are times when I like to sit quietly on my garden seat with my Bible on my lap and just drink in the Lord's presence. I can imagine that Jesus is sitting with me, just waiting to hear all about the things on my heart. He knows them, but still waits patiently for me to come to Him. Some days I have sat there and cried, "It is too hard Lord, help me!" And His presence encompasses me, filling me with His peace and reassurance that all is in His hands. It is comforting to know that my Saviour is intimately involved and aware of all that occurs in my life. After we have talked together for a while, peace returns, joy comes and the weight of the world is gone. Some of you may not have gardens that you can use as your Quiet Time place. So, use your imagination and find somewhere else. A favourite chair, perhaps a corner of a room. Isobel Kuhn the American missionary to Thailand used a broom cupboard once and God woke her at 3 am every morning to have time with Him. Wherever it is, make it your place where you go to meet with your Heavenly Father. Be ready though, you might need a notepad and pen to keep track of all those answers to prayer. God loves it when we earnestly seek Him. I know He will take great delight in meeting with you day by day in the "Quiet Place". Debra A Davidson Brisbane, Australia choosejoy @ hoteky.net.au (You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Deb lives in sunny Brisbane with her husband of 20 years, Guy. They have two wonderful teenagers, Emma and Andrew. Deb loves to read, write, cook, garden and a million other things. Her favourite past time is reminding people to Choose Joy! ----------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Cheryl, Just to let you know that Rusty is no longer with us. He developed severe spinal problems and had to be put down a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say I miss him terribly but treasure the time we had and the incredible impact he was on the children who needed him the most. Lynne (I know all of you will join with me in prayer for Lynne. The passing of a loved one, even one in fur coats, creates an ache in our hearts and a void in our lives. Cheryl) *** Hi Cheryl, This story reminded me of the 2 little girls (about 7 & 8) that I just had in Vacation Bible School. Neither one spoke one word all week to ANYONE, not even each other! A neighbor lady brought them to the church and gave me a computer print-out about SELECTIVE AUTUISM. I'd never heard of it. I had to ask them questions that required a shake ("no") or nod ("yes") of the head---and then watch VERY closely to see the response. I smiled a LOT at them during the week and by the end the oldest was smiling back, very shyly. I believe if I'd had more time, I may have gotten through to them. Perhaps a pet would have helped. Thanks for the story. * Gidday Lynn (even if I don't have the accent for it, or know how to spell it). Thank for sharing this wonderful story. I have a son Chris, who needed a teacher like you when he was a lad. You are certainly an exceptional teacher--and person. Paul Joseph Leadem www.leadem.com *** Lynne and Rusty make such a great team! She has told us about some of the lives they have touched, but I have a feeling they have touched so many more. Sharon ------------------------------------------------------------ Cheryl's Corner David and I are on a restricted fat diet. For the most part, it doesn't bother me. Only I do miss the cookies! I love cookies... Pecan Sandies, Sugar, Oatmeal, or Chocolate Chip... I love them all. The only exception is Peanut Butter. I'll take my peanut butter on bread please. I can substitute for everything else in our diet, but so far I haven't come up with a fat free cookie recipe that tastes like a cookie and not cake. If anyone has one, I would love to see it! God Bless Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2002 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors. --------------------------------------------------------------- All subscriptions sent to your e-mail free of charge.