Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
It’s 5:30 am, and the world is still sleeping. There are no lights on in any of the houses that border the reserve on the edge of the estuary. I walk barefoot through the damp and crunchy grass to the bench seat that is perched on a slight rise by the silent old jetty. As I approach, I am treated to the pre-dawn light – the promise that day is coming.
It is very quiet. Oh yes, there are one or two “early birds”, but most are still tucked in their nests with their heads under their wings, sleeping.
There is not a breath of wind. The tide is out, and the permanently moored boats are tipped on their sides in the mud.
The predawn light creeps along the mud as it heralds the sun that will follow and is reflected in pools and channels left by the receding water.
It is quiet. The only sounds are the whispers of my bare feet on the grass and my breath as it leaves my mouth and floats on the crisp cool air.
I reach the bench seat, which is wet with dew and spread a newspaper so I can sit……stop, rest, delight, and contemplate. Here I practise the presence of God. Here, sitting beside me is Jesus.
In another hour this place will be buzzing. Dogs will be out on their morning walk, friends will connect, conversations will be had, plans will be made. Old men and young boys will try for fish on the old jetty when the tide comes back. It will become a social hub of a small community.
But for now, it is still and quiet. Jesus meets me in the quiet. He meets me in the beauty of the predawn. He meets me in my wonder and joy of this place. He meets me in my gratitude, my thanksgiving and my praise. He meets me in whatever mood I am carrying. He sits next to me and listens as I express my heart. He holds me when I need to be held and wipes away my tears. He validates who I am, He reinforces what I mean to Him. He imparts His love and encouragement to strengthen me for the day. He kisses my forehead as I rise to leave.
At dusk I will return to the bench – when day has slowed, and night is to come. When it is quiet. And Jesus will meet me there and we will chat about the day. And He will know all things, because He has never left my side as the busyness of life consumed my hours. And He will delight in my telling of it all to Him. He will listen, He will smile and even laugh at the fun stuff, and He will empathise with the struggles and confusion, that also made up the day. He will hold and comfort me, He will impart all that He is, to bless and restore me, so that I may rest through the night in the knowledge of His love, until we meet in the morning in the quiet of the predawn light, again.
You have searched me, Lord, and know me. You know when I sit and when I rise, You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139: 1 – 6