We Are Travelers and God Is Our Home
Meaning of Bench: a long seat for several people, typically made of wood or stone."a park bench”
After all this time of studying words, I am still surprised when a word comes to mind, that I doubt is in the Bible… Well, Bench shows itself in eight instances… color me surprised!!
As I read the scriptures that contained this word, the word that accompanied the word bench was judge…
We as a society have learned to lead with the word judge… How did we become so unaccepting???
So full of self, so righteous??
I have had many experiences on this bench… however things are never as they seem.
Many of you know I meditate.. and a vision that comes to my mind is the bench. I listen to music that lulls me into a state of peace and as my mind drifts Jesus appears. He looks just like many of His followers see Him.
Chestnut brown shoulder length hair, His cream color robe, sandals on His feet… His skin is tan…His face is peaceful His smile is engaging …His eyes of blue have a boyish sparkle. Most of the time He reaches for my hand… no words are spoken … He leads me to this bench.. it looks like the one in the image I have provided.. as we approach the bench He lets go of my hand and sits down… He looks at me and smiles and pats the bench with his hand… as to welcome me to sit.
So I make my way there and sit next to Him. I snuggle in close.
And lingered there a moment and then found myself laying my head down in His lap… He loving stoked my hair much like a parent and child…
Sometimes He hums a soft melodic tune.
I close my eyes and take a deep and deliberate breath, my body relaxes and my soul drifts off to a slumber rich with peace. I feel protected and loved while in His care… My Jesus-induced sleep drifts into a heavenly state of mind…
I am not sure why this image often appears in my meditations … But I have concluded it happens often when I am tired… I do believe He knows what we need more than we do… “Peaceful Sleep”
So the next time you have trouble sleeping or you feel that life is a little overwhelming… close your eyes and find peace beyond our human understanding. His bench is a place of reflection, rest, and rejuvenation…
It’s Him, It’s always Him…
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”Matthew 11:28-30
Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner
Inspiring Music: YouTube
