Sunrise over Bayou Teche
The Way Reflection
Jeannie Patee
21 April 2017
Be still my soul
Be still, and know that I am God…Psalms 46: 10 NIV
I am an early morning person by marriage. I am grateful for both—to see a fresh new day every morning and to be married to my early bird for 40 years. There was a season during which we did an 0530 weekly study of Psalms on The Way. The peace, the words, the sunrises, the fellowship were worth the early morning beginnings.
We recently spent a mission week at UMCOR Sager-Brown (United Methodist Committee on Relief) in Baldwin, Louisiana. Our PBUMC group, joined by churches from Kansas City and Texas spent our days packing school bags and hygiene kits to be sent when disaster strikes. We also had members volunteer in the community with the women’s shelter, painting, and teen challenge thrift store. Sager-Brown’s beautiful park like grounds, the dorms and the Depot (warehouse) are located on Bayou Teche in the heart of bayou country. UMCOR Sager-Brown describes itself as being on Holy Ground. I have always believed it to be a sacred place. It feels like Holy Ground. The Lord’s work goes on here. The most beautiful, peaceful early morning sunrise over the Bayou confirms this must be a sacred place. The morning skies declare it! Every day God gives us a new sunrise, a new day. He is faithful. He is loving. He is patient. He is the Creator who gives me a new promise every day.
Sunrise over The Way
I think we should declare The Way as sacred ground. I have seen the sunrise promise there many times. I know God was in the business of building this nature trail. I have seen all the hard work by so many people that make it shine. Look at all the gifts God has blessed us with. I am especially fond of the swath of pitcher plants. They are truly a unique life form. This is a place of meditation, a place of peace. Both at Sager-Brown and on the trail, I hear:
*Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine.
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
Amen, Jeannie Patee
*Fifth stanza Be Still, My Soul by Katherine A von Schlegel
White Top Pitcher Prairie Plant
The Way 
Thanks for bringing our focus back to our creator . “Be still” doesn’t sound like a big deal, but in this age of constant input and noise we have to carve out time to be still, to listen to God, to be aware of the fact that everything is about Him, the God of the living, not about us as we rush about frantically trying to be good, to do good-we were created to know God, to love Him, to walk in righteousness (for His name’s sake) . I long for that place, for that peace, for that sacred ground. Thanks be to God who never changes.
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I love the reflection and Kay’s comment. I, too, long for that peaceful place where my soul is at rest.
He is risen, indeed!
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