Today's Heartlift with Janell
Sometimes the story we tell ourselves is not really true. Sometimes the story others tell about us is not really true. On "Today's Heartlift with Janell," Author, Trauma-informed, board-certified marriage and family specialist, and Professional Heartlifter, Janell Rardon, opens conversations about how emotional health and mental fitness effects absolutely every area of our lives. When we possess and practice healthy, strong, resilient emotional health practices, life is so much better. Read Janell's newest book, "Stronger Every Day: 9 Tools for an Emotionally Healthy You."
Today's Heartlift with Janell
287. Nature's Sermon: Finding Peace by a Babbling Brook
Can you imagine being in a place where all your needs are met by unusual means and finding peace in complete dependence on something greater than yourself?
As I celebrate the joys of welcoming my new grandbaby and preparing for my twin daughter's baby shower, I invite you to reflect on Elijah's profound faith journey (1 Kings 17). Through his story, we unravel the profound lessons of living from a place of complete dependence on God and stepping away from our hyper-productive lives. Feel the gentle breeze and hear the bubbling brook as you breathe deeply and let these words wash over you, guiding you to a deeper sense of rest and reliance on God's faithfulness. Whether you need a moment of calm or a reminder of divine provision, this episode offers a sanctuary for your soul.
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Hello and welcome to this bonus episode of today's Heart Lift with Janelle. I am currently away having a little time with my new grandbaby boy and then celebrating my twin daughter's baby girl coming soon at a baby shower, and so, while I'm away, I wanted to offer you a sneak preview of a beautiful audio meditation that I created to go with a Bible study small group study that I've been working on for a few years, called by the Brook, and it comes from 1 Kings 17. Probably why I love my daughter's name, brooke because the Brooke Kareth has always been very, very important to me. Let me begin by reading from 1 Kings 17. Now Elijah, the Tishbite of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, the king at that time, as the Lord, the God of Israel lives before whom I stand. Lord, the God of Israel lives before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word. And the word of the Lord came to him Depart from here. This is God telling Elijah. Depart from here, depart from Tishbe in Gilead, and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Kareth, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there. So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Kareth, that is, east of the Jordan, and the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook and after a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land Verse 8. Then then, the word of the Lord came to him. So the brook dries up and God speaks to him. Arise, elijah, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and now I want you to dwell there. He says Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you. So he arose and went to Zarephath.
Speaker 1:In this passage there are layers and layers, and I have thoroughly enjoyed ripping and taking it apart and digging underneath. Some scholars tell us he stayed by the brook three years. Three years, and this is where, from what I can surmise, he really learned to trust in his God, because God knew what was coming for Elijah and he knew that Elijah would need to move forward from a place of rest yeah, we've been talking about this of rest. Yeah, we've been talking about this. He knew Elijah needed to get this, to live from a place of rest, not just get a little rest, take a little nap, but to live in complete dependence on God, to feed him, to supply him with water. And here he was, in nature. This was a valley, it was lush, it was nature. And this is where we have been seeing how vital it is for us to spend time learning what it means to live our lives from a place of rest, not hyper productivity, not type A-ing and I am speaking to myself here directly but, like Elijah, to learn how to depend on God for everything.
Speaker 1:I woke up a morning a few weeks ago and I really just heard that whisper. Am I enough for you, janelle? Am I enough? I couldn't answer God, and I'm making my way to that answer. But today I hope that you allow the words of this meditation to just pour over you from the top of your head to the soles of your feet and, most importantly, I pray that you find rest.
Speaker 1:Imagine, imagine with me. But first let's take a really big, deep, belly, breath, Ready, ready. Imagine your GPS suddenly receiving a download of four simple directions. Get out of here and fast Head east and hide out by the brook. Drink its fresh water. Birds will feed you.
Speaker 1:You might feel as if you're in an episode of the Twilight Zone. Yet you obey Something deep inside of you. Quickly, senses do this. It seems irrational, but then sometimes life doesn't make any sense, does it? Imagine now that you're sitting by that brook? Can you hear the bubbling water? Come, sit for a while. Can you feel the breeze on your face? Breathe, rest for a while. Can you feel the breeze on your face, breathe, rest for a while. Can you feel the warmth of the sun-kissed stones, be, relax for a while. Can you feel the strength of the ground supporting you? Stay, receive for a while?
Speaker 1:Suddenly, your phone dings. You take it out of your pocket and you read the text. Dear child of mine, I'm so happy you chose to follow the directions I sent you. I know you're a little confused. This was not on your calendar today. Thank you for trusting me. I assure you, this time by the brook won't disappoint. Now turn your phone off, maybe leave it back in the car. Go ahead, take care of that. You and I are going to get to know one another a little better. Don't be afraid, I'm going to be right here with you. Sometimes you won't see me or even feel my presence, but I am with you. You are not alone. You're going to be here for a while. Settle in. I'm taking care of absolutely everything back home.
Speaker 1:This time by the brook is just for you and me. When you get thirsty, drink the fresh, energizing water the brook offers. When you get hungry, birds will bring you the food you need for the day. When you get tired, lay in a lush verdant bed of soft moss. When you get curious, open your eyes, notice your surroundings, breathe, take it all in. When you get restless, talk to me, walk with me. We'll sort things out.
Speaker 1:When you get afraid and you will it will get very dark here. Feel all the emotions coursing through your body, study them, feel them. After a while, the brook will slowly start to dry up. Don't be afraid, you are not alone. Ah, it just means it's time to move on, that's all. Things are changing. New directions will come right when you need them. They'll be right on time. For now, go ahead, get comfortable here. Welcome to your time by the brook. You can't imagine what I have stored up for you. It might be invisible to your naked eye, but every single day is important. Rest assured, you're going to be so glad you came. Love God.
