The sound of laughter filled the autumn air as I walk through the rainbow forest.  Nothing cheers my heart like the delightful sounds of children at play.  When I emerge from the woods I see three young boys chasing an elusive butterfly.  They are traveling in the general direction of their father who is casting a fishing lure into the peaceful waters of Lake Chinnabee which rests near the base of Mount Cheaha.

        The echoes of pleasure were the perfect music to accompany such a beautiful sight.  I could have traveled hundreds of miles to some exotic place to observe the fall colors.  But instead of a journey to some distant land I decide to seek out the beauty that fills the place I call home.  And as I watch a man fishing with his children I think I too catch something.  I follow the lure sail through the cool air and land in a tranquil splash.  I see a relaxing smile stretch across a dads face as he enjoys a little R & R with his family.

        As he reels in his bait I begin to get a nibble.  I can feel something tugging in the back of my mind and telling me to pay attention to what I am seeing because this is essential.  We live in a busy world; careers, schedules, family, school, church, clubs, programs, cooking, cleaning and commuting.  Hundreds of things compete for our free time.  Time moves so swiftly and the demands on our leisure time are fierce.  Too often I am tempted to trade my leisure time for stuff; important stuff, but stuff none the less.  Rest and relaxation are vital and indispensable if we are to be at our best.

        Recreation may not be the highest kind of enjoyment; but in its time and place it is quite as proper as prayer.  Let us beware of the barrenness of a busy life because the best time to relax is usually when you don’t have time to relax.  If you are losing your leisure time, look out!  You may be losing your soul.  People who cannot find time for rest and recreation are bound to sooner or later to find time for illness.  What we need is a sense of balance in life, an ability to be at peace through the activities of the day, ability to rest and take time to enjoy the beauty in our lives, an ability to pace ourselves.  Happiness is a choice; choose to relax and enjoy this day.

Something to think about:

• Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.

• He does not seem to me to be a free man who does not sometimes do nothing.

• Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in “muchness” and “manyness,” he will rest satisfied.

• Our Lord takes life’s pieces and gives us unbroken peace.

• No sleep can be tranquil unless the mind is at rest.

• Don’t hurry, don’t worry. You’re only here for a short visit. So be sure to stop and smell the flowers.

• Our great Shepherd knows we must come apart and rest awhile, or else we may just plain come apart.

• Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Thankful for the sweet delights a quiet life affords.
Rickey Moore