A strange phenomenon occurred while Terri and I were doing a long run around Wickham Park not too long ago. As we rounded the back side of the park in the already 80+ degree weather, pockets of cool air had rolled out of the wooded area and was wrapping around our legs. It was a welcomed relief from the mugginess that we were pressing through! It reminded me of how God can send times of refreshment our way when we are trudging through the heavy points in our lives.

I think of Elijah…

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” ⁵Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.    All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 1 Kings 19:3-5

How many times do we say, “I have had enough, Lord,” and then God answers us by providing just what we need or even more than what we expected? Or how about Jonah? Even in the midst of his constant struggle with his selfishness (sounds like someone I know- me!), God even provided the leafy plant to shade Jonah from the sun. (Despite his complaining) And then there is Peter who boldly stated that he would follow Jesus even if it meant death, but later denied Christ three times within just hours. After his resurrection, Jesus came directly to Peter and reassured him that He knew that Peter’s love for Him still filled his heart. Peter, at one of his lowest points, was gently restored by the Lord himself.

Blessings from the Lord. Meetings with Jesus. Encounters with our God. As we run this marathon called life, these pockets of refreshment are the moments that help us to press on to win the prize for which God has called us heavenword in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:14) May we run alongside God so that we never miss the pockets of refreshment that He sends our way.

He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake  Ps 23:3