Recharging

Mid-February and it was so warm that I wore shorts and went kayaking. The photo above is from a video I made (phone mounted on my kayak) as I launched into the river. At the moment of this still shot, I was shouting, “Praise God!” I’d show you the video but it focuses on my thighs which are not only winter white, but closer to the camera and that is not a view anyone needs to see.

The wind was pretty stiff and there were actual whitecaps on the water. I only kayaked an hour since my kayaking muscles are not in shape yet. But it was glorious. I passed a tree FILLED with grebes, and then a little later, a tree FILLED with nesting Great Blue Herons. Not another soul was on the water. Just me, exulting in the glory of God’s incredible creation.

I was out all day. 70 degrees in February should never be squandered. I biked in the morning, sat on the porch for lunch, kayaked after lunch, and then walked before dinner. The entire day was spent in a T-shirt outside in the sunny warm day. It was one of the most peaceful, happy days I have had in a while.

Today, I am having lunch with a former abortion worker. I hope to encourage her in her hunt for life-affirming work, and to speak with her about trusting and following God. That will cap the morning spent with my wonderful Cities4Life team encouraging women to choose life over abortion on the sidewalks of the abortion center. These activities are incredibly rewarding but spiritually exhausting. It is an arduous battle fighting the forces of evil that would deceive people into believing that innocent human unborn babies should be legally slaughtered.

That’s why every chance I get, I kayak, and bicycle, and walk- usually alone- with my heart and thoughts centered on God and the magnificence of His creation. It is how I recharge for the battle. However, those peaceful hours in nature communing with God are all the sweeter for coming to Him depleted by the work He has called me to do. I love these pleasures of life, but a life comprised of only self-centered, hedonistic pleasure would have no meaning, and I think even kayaking would lose some of its magic.

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Jeremiah 31:25 

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”