Once she stopped rushing through life,

She was amazed how much more life she had time for.

~Unknown

Ryan and I have remarked over and again how amazing it is to live a “vacationer’s life” on our boat. Obviously we diligently work on our photography business and dutifully homeschool our children. However, resisting the urge to keep doing, doing, doing, buying, buying, buying, going, going, going, just for the sake of “keeping up with who knows who”, we’re learning to…just…BE.

Be still in my soul, like the water at dawn’s morning light.

Be content with what we have, even in 238 sq ft.

Be mentally present with my husband and children.

Be intentional in our choices.

Be quiet and attuned to the birds squawk and the water babble.

I’ve heard it said before, God created me a human BEing, not a human DOing. It takes practice and effort to just Be. Living on the water, learning to Be Still in my circumstances, Psalm 23 has become precious to me.

“The LORD is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for His Name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

(Psalm 23:1-4 italics are my own emphasis)

As I continue to trust my God in this adventure, I am constantly reminded and comforted that He Knows my name, my husband’s name and each of my children by name! He is a Good Shepherd who protects and provides our needs.  I, the sheep, need to continue to trust my Shepherd and be content; in doing so, I am refreshed for I choose not to fear what I cannot control. My Shepherd is in control. Even when He leads me through things I don’t understand or wouldn’t have chosen to go through.  His rod and staff comfort me. I trust His protection even when it looks different from what I might imagine. He gives me His peace that passes my understanding.

Resisting the urge to rush through life, I am amazed how much more life I now enjoy, even in 238 sq ft.