There was a time back in February where the Lord reminded me that He just wanted me to sit with Him like I did as a child. This story involves a swing set and hours of effortless worship. I actually wrote a blog about it which you can read here God spoke to me through a swing set.
“He never forgets to show us his love and faithfulness…”
Psalms 98:3 TPT
The Lord has continued to speak to me through swing sets each month on the race. He gives a gentle reminder that it’s in His presence I find peace and rest. Each month the “swing” has looked different and is not always what you would picture. As we enter new ministry sites, I do a quick look around for a swing and if I don’t see one, I still have hope hat He will provide one in some way.
In Rwanda it was the sensation that I was rocking back and forth in His arms while I was curled up on the couch listening to worship music. I had been sick for a few days with an intestinal parasite and the pain was really gnawing at me. I’d already been to the doctor and was given medication which actually made me feel worse before I felt better. The only thing I could do in that moment of suffering was to reach out to my Father. After a few minutes of praying without words, worship music in the background, I noticed that I felt like I was gently rocking back and forth. I wasn’t dreaming or hallucinating. I literally felt my father “swinging” me, and His presence soothed my soul.
In Uganda my swing was actually a hammock. I was really struggling with the darkness that I felt there the first week. I would stay up late each night after everyone else was in their tents and sit sideways in a hammock just sitting with the Lord, listening to worship music, and reading scripture. Sometimes I’m a slow processor so it took me a couple days to realize that I was sitting in the hammock and moving as though I was on a giant swing. I’m not surprised now that that’s where I chose to go to sit in His presence.
Now, I’m in Kenya and had not found a swing until yesterday. Here at the orphanage we’re serving with for part of the month I hadn’t wandered beyond the hedge that divides living space of the compound from a soccer field. I have never been good at sports. I’m more of a songs with motions kind of person so I never felt the need to explore that side. In casual conversation, a teammate mentioned that she was playing with the kids on the swing set. My ears perked up. Swings? What swings? Finding out there’s a swing set out there couldn’t have come at a better time. My quiet time has been anything but quiet. Many thoughts consume my mind. I lay down to sleep at night only to open my eyes and realize it’s already morning. My will to press on is waning as my strength is sapped. I have not had an actual day of rest in a couple of weeks due to circumstances beyond my control. So yesterday, I went to scope out this space behind the hedge.. there’s my swing. Thank you, Father. Then in the evening, my teammates suggested I take the day off today to rest, and I thought about my swing. It’s not easy for me to rest when everyone else is working. I can so easily take care of everyone but myself. But how could I ignore this reminder? My Father was literally asking me to sit with Him, to swing into His presence. So that’s what I did today. I spent a few hours on the swing singing praises and hearing from Him through the book of Psalms with a beautiful view of the mountains in view. I also took a nap. Because this girl needed some physical rest too.
“Let the skies sing for joy! Let the earth join in the chorus. Let oceans thunder and fields echo this ecstatic praise until every swaying tree of every forest joins in, lifting up their songs of joyous praise to him!” Psalms 96:11-12 TPT
That’s my story. I hope you’re encouraged to take time to sit in His presence today and also to keep your eyes & ears open for how He is speaking to you in the everyday things.
