You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. Psalm 31:8
The birds chirp their cheery song punctuated only by bees buzzing their own tune. The soft grass is verdant and neatly trimmed. Calmness exudes from the dark stream dotted with yellow, white, and purple irises. Tall trees standing sentinel over the garden cast their cool shadows over flowers and shrubs.
Seeking peace, I find it in an off-the-beaten-path kind of way. But getting here is not so easy. Driving in France in a rental car is something I do only out of necessity, but occasionally the joy of the freedom it brings outweighs the costs. Choosing a destination and striking out on my own is outside of my comfort zone. The narrow roads were apparently designed without the likelihood that two cars might need to pass each other as they travel in opposite directions. The roads are only wide enough for one and a half cars which is a cause of concern on my part, but apparently not on the part of the drivers coming towards me. The blind curves and winding asphalt create a sense of unwelcomed adventure. As Google Maps alerts me of my destination just ahead on the right, I frantically scan the scene for a parking lot. Going too far and then doubling back, I locate a mostly dirt and gravel lot that grass threatens to overtake. I park and get out of the car.
Crossing the road to Château de Pesselières, I am greeted by a helpful young man who trades my euros for a map of the park. As I wander down the path, I feel enveloped in a sense of peace. As there are only a few other visitors, the gardens around the château are quiet. My pace slows down. I regain a sense of balance and perspective.
Château de Pesselières is a small castle located between Sancerre and Bourges in France’s Loire Valley. Steeped in history, this stronghold existed as far back as the 12th century. Owned by the Counts of Sancerre, the castle has been partially destroyed and then restored repeatedly over the centuries. Due to being strategically located, it bears witness to both the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) and also the Wars of Religion (1562-1598) where, in the very center of disputed territory, it protected the defenders of Protestant Sancerre.
Wandering through the lush grass, taking photos as I go, the verse in Psalm 31 comes to mind. God has indeed set my feet in a spacious place. But the road to get here was not easy. Looking back at the curves in the road, the blind spots, the too-narrow-to-pass places, I realize God’s goodness over the years. After one loss after another over a period of six years, God has put my feet in a new space, a new beginning, indeed a new life. He wove the threads of my grief in with His grace to create a fabric stronger than before and more beautiful.
Where are you in the road of life? Are you traveling a winding road full of unforeseen circumstances that threaten to overtake you? Take time out to take care of yourself, to find and enjoy beauty around you. Take heart that God travels with you and will certainly set your feet in a most bountiful and spacious place.
Lord, thank You for Your goodness. Even though the road of life may be difficult and unpredictable, I thank You for peace in those respite moments, in spacious places where I discover and enjoy the beauty You created. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Text and photograph copyright © 2018 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Château de Pesselières, Jalognes, France.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
The birds chirp their cheery song punctuated only by bees buzzing their own tune. The soft grass is verdant and neatly trimmed. Calmness exudes from the dark stream dotted with yellow, white, and purple irises. Tall trees standing sentinel over the garden cast their cool shadows over flowers and shrubs.
Seeking peace, I find it in an off-the-beaten-path kind of way. But getting here is not so easy. Driving in France in a rental car is something I do only out of necessity, but occasionally the joy of the freedom it brings outweighs the costs. Choosing a destination and striking out on my own is outside of my comfort zone. The narrow roads were apparently designed without the likelihood that two cars might need to pass each other as they travel in opposite directions. The roads are only wide enough for one and a half cars which is a cause of concern on my part, but apparently not on the part of the drivers coming towards me. The blind curves and winding asphalt create a sense of unwelcomed adventure. As Google Maps alerts me of my destination just ahead on the right, I frantically scan the scene for a parking lot. Going too far and then doubling back, I locate a mostly dirt and gravel lot that grass threatens to overtake. I park and get out of the car.
Crossing the road to Château de Pesselières, I am greeted by a helpful young man who trades my euros for a map of the park. As I wander down the path, I feel enveloped in a sense of peace. As there are only a few other visitors, the gardens around the château are quiet. My pace slows down. I regain a sense of balance and perspective.
Château de Pesselières is a small castle located between Sancerre and Bourges in France’s Loire Valley. Steeped in history, this stronghold existed as far back as the 12th century. Owned by the Counts of Sancerre, the castle has been partially destroyed and then restored repeatedly over the centuries. Due to being strategically located, it bears witness to both the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) and also the Wars of Religion (1562-1598) where, in the very center of disputed territory, it protected the defenders of Protestant Sancerre.
Wandering through the lush grass, taking photos as I go, the verse in Psalm 31 comes to mind. God has indeed set my feet in a spacious place. But the road to get here was not easy. Looking back at the curves in the road, the blind spots, the too-narrow-to-pass places, I realize God’s goodness over the years. After one loss after another over a period of six years, God has put my feet in a new space, a new beginning, indeed a new life. He wove the threads of my grief in with His grace to create a fabric stronger than before and more beautiful.
Where are you in the road of life? Are you traveling a winding road full of unforeseen circumstances that threaten to overtake you? Take time out to take care of yourself, to find and enjoy beauty around you. Take heart that God travels with you and will certainly set your feet in a most bountiful and spacious place.
Lord, thank You for Your goodness. Even though the road of life may be difficult and unpredictable, I thank You for peace in those respite moments, in spacious places where I discover and enjoy the beauty You created. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photograph copyright © 2018 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Château de Pesselières, Jalognes, France.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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