My Happy Place

Psalm 62:1-2

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Let me tell you about my happy place.

I love my home and hanging out with my family and friends. I enjoy attending church and worshipping with the congregation. But the one place I love to sit and pray, think and listen is miles away from home.

Large rocks rest on the shore of Lake Erie, around Marblehead Lighthouse. We visit the park once or twice a year (more if we can squeeze it in.) After we tour the grounds and maybe climb the lighthouse, we wander to the shore where the water meets the rocks. I ease onto a giant rock and watch the waves slap the moss covered boulders. The seagulls entertain and the sound relaxes every muscle in my body. My mind settles, and I take in the beauty of God's creation.

No matter what season we visit, spring, summer, autumn, or winter, the rocks remain the same. The granite holds me above the ice cold water where I'm safe and secure. Many times I've taken my notebook and pen and written words from the inspiration.

Even as I find refreshment from visiting my happy place, true rest comes from a deeper source. The God I love provides the respite my soul needs. At times I find myself overwhelmed by the love God pours on me. I don't deserve his grace, yet he fills my heart with peace. No matter the circumstances, He's my refuge. He's my fortress in times of trouble, my strength when I need help. He's the peace and joy of my heart.

No matter what we go through, the ups and downs of life. God remains the same. He is the rock who calms my soul.

Do you have a happy place? Somewhere you totally connect with God? If not, find that place. Even when I can't go to my favorite place, the Holy Spirit settles my restless soul with peace and hope.

Novella Collection Review: The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection, Seven Historical Romances

Book Description:

Lighthouses have long been the symbol of salvation, warning sailors away from dangerous rocks and shallow waters.

Along the Great Lakes, America’s inland seas, lighthouses played a vital role in the growth of the nation. They shepherded settlers traveling by water to places that had no roads. These beacons of light required constant tending even in remote and often dangerous places. Brave men and women battled the elements and loneliness to keep the lights shining. Their sacrifice kept goods and immigrants moving. Seven romances set between 1883 and 1911 bring hope to these lonely keepers and love to weary hearts.

My Review

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection written by Lena Nelson Dooley, Rebecca Jepson, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Candice Sue Patterson, Kathleen Rouser, Pegg Thomas, and Marilyn Turk is a delightful gathering of the often romanticized life of lighthouse keepers. Throughout the stories you'll meet a variety of fascinating characters, including female lightkeepers, a lady doctor, backwoodsmen, sailors, gentlemen business owners and more. Every story brings to life the history of the Great Lake's shores. When I finished reading, I was impressed at how each author took a similar setting and topic and created such a unique story. Some based their writing on historical characters, while others were total fiction. I had some favorites, too — but I'll let you decide what yours are after you pick up a copy of this wonderful anthology and read for yourself. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.