Remember yesterday when I talked about going to the Japanese Friendship Garden for the tea tour and it was raining? Well, we went. It sprinkled off and on all the way there. We got there with two minutes to spare. They were literally standing at the gate, waiting on us. Actually, there were only 4 of us on this tea tour - two other women and us. Our guide, Henry, stopped us frequently on the way to the 'tea house' to talk about the Japanese culture and how green everything is in the garden. There were waterfalls, there were koi fish in the water - it was all so peaceful, so beautiful. Henry told us that actually that day, with it's dampness, and coolness, was the best day to attend the garden, because.... and he showed us many trees and bushes with the raindrops on them - and shared how if one allows themself, while looking at the leaves with the droplets of water, listen to the waterfalls... it can bring peace.
And the rain stopped when we got out of the car. We walked through the garden, to the tea house. Inside the tea house we were greeted by two women who bowed to us and invited us in. We were served three different kinds of tea and a few Japanese snacks. It was very informative and interesting. Hubby and I both chose the same tea that we liked best - I like sen cha as well, but the gamicha (or something like that) was one we both liked. As for the snacks, I liked the sweet treat and the rice crackers, hubby liked whatever that was wrapped in seaweed. (yeck) We partook of the three samples of tea and ate the snacks, and then the tea was over. They had a few items there that we could purchase (and of course I did - including buying myself a Japanese tea set. Why not? I also bought a bag of the tea we liked, and bought hubby the snack he liked, and I bought myself the rice crackers.
After the tea, we were taken around outside the tea house and again the nature of the Japanese garden was explained to us. We both really enjoyed the visit there. I told hubby I would go again, but not for the tea, since we have done it once. But just to walk through the garden and just feel the peace and serenity that is there. The quietness. We could have stayed and walked around the garden more on our own, but nature called and after that we decided to leave as it was past lunchtime. Stopped at El Pollo Loco on the way home and got home then around 2PM.
And instead of getting in here and working on the bookcase like I wanted.... I did nothing. No, I didn't take a nap. But, I did come in here and just sit in my chair. No light. No noise. No computer. No book. I just sat here for a short while. I didn't want to lose the peace I had felt. Refreshing. I needed to put a pause on my life and just rest. By 4PM I grabbed my things and headed over to my daughter's. We hadn't gotten together in about 3-4 weeks due to various things. And that's ok.
So that was my day... and it was a very good day. God answered my prayer by keeping the rain away while we were at the garden, and I had rain all the way home from my daughter's later in the evening.
I'm 'back at work' today.... I must admit that yesterday I was really wishing I didn't have to; that I had taken more time off (but for what?). I did nothing productive these past two days. Well, we went to lunch on Monday and Tuesday the Tea Garden. I wanted to do so much here at home and yet - I did nothing. And that's not so much a bad thing, except I'm still sitting here looking at it all. Maybe I will feel motivated to do a shelf at a time within the next few days. Will see. Honestly, for some stupid reason, when hubby is home, I don't want to do anything. I think part of it is that in the past, he would have to watch everything I sorted through - what am I getting rid of - and why - and why am I keeping that? Yeah - been through that a few times - and now I can't even clean out drawers without feeling he will be looking over my shoulder. Which he probably wouldn't now, but that memory is still there.
I have my training tonight at 5PM too. I have actually developed biceps - and yes, I'm proud of them! I think I've mentioned that before, come to think about it. And that my DIL's biceps are much larger than mine will ever be! Not that she 'works out', but it's her job. So proud of her and what she does. My trainer really worked my shoulders last Monday. Interestingly, I wasn't sore, like I thought I would be. Yet, it was hard doing those sets! But, he is trying to give me some shoulders; mine have always been small.
Psalm 116:7 (NIV): "Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."
A simple verse, and yet, it says so much. We get so caught up in the busyness of life, spouses, children, grandchildren - jobs, activities, things we have to do, things we enjoy doing..... we get to be such busy people..... we don't take time for the rest that God has for us.
How do I know that? Because I got to experience it yesterday at the tea garden. I have been so mentally weary and tired, even more so than body tired. My body has just gotten lazy, not tired. But my mind - my mental status - has just been weighed down with so many thoughts, so many things going on that I want to do - things I can't do - and well, just life itself. My heart longs to be free of it all so that I can truly enjoy life.... but life itself prevents me from doing that. My soul has been distraught, longing to be one with my Creator. Yearning for the peace that only He can offer me. The peace, the silence, the oneness with Him.
Have you ever felt that? That you don't want to talk to anyone. You don't even want to think. You just want 'to be'. Does that make sense? Have you ever just wanted to close your eyes and feel the closeness of God, to sense His nearness, to feel His love for you? It is the most wonderful feeling you could ever experience. And in the busyness of our lives, we push Him out, because we 'don't have time for Jesus' - and that is our downfall.
Oh how I wish I could take days off work (or retire completely!) and to be able to perhaps get a small water fountain to put at the back of the house, and sit outside (when it's nice out), and just relax in the holy presence of God. Oh the thoughts of how to design that back area have come to mind - and yet, I know I will never do them. Perhaps in the far back room I could make it my sanctuary? Wouldn't that be nice! And yet, it would be invaded.... some day. I need to get rid of my treadmill... I don't use it anyway. I should. But I don't. .... dreaming of what I could do to find my sanctuary.... how much of a battle will it be for me... the longing, the pain of resistance... ah.... life.
And, I need to get off here and start pulling my day together. Shower first, then on to work. Regardless of what we feel, I pray that we all pause for a moment and thank God for today. He created it - and gave it to us. What are we going to do with it? May all we do and say bring Him glory.
Blessings!
