This time of year many of us are headed out of town for vacation. We are looking to spend time with family, get away from the stresses of everyday life, and find some time to relax. As a young boy growing up, we would take a trip every year to Red River, New Mexico. We would spend a week in the mountains riding horses, hiking, and fishing. The temperature seemed to never get above 80 degrees, even in the summer, and there was a beautiful summer rain almost every afternoon. In the evenings we would walk through town and stop at the ice cream shop or play some miniature golf. I was convinced that I was in heaven!
On
e of my favorite memories of the trips to Red River were the times spent fishing out in the streams. Every year we would spend at least one day in the Valley of the Pines fishing for trout. We would stand out in the middle of the stream with a fishing rod in hand and all that could be heard was the sound of rushing water and the wind blowing through the trees. To this day, when I think about a place of peace I think of standing in the stream in the Valley of the Pines.
Unfortunately, we don’t get to spend our entire lives in our own place of peace all the time. Eventually, we have to come back from those vacations and we find our lives interrupted with the chaos of the world. We have to face the realities of everyday life. Yet, I believe it is important for us to always have that deep inner peace within us. It’s important to find moments in each day to stop and give thanks to God for the things we are grateful for in life. It’s important to find reasons to celebrate in life.
On this Casual Friday, I want you to tell me what your place
of peace is. Share pictures with me if you have them! I’ve shared a couple of my pictures here from when my brother and I were very young fishing in Red River. And what do you do each day to find moments of peace and celebration?
