An Hour of Peace

GaoYan was saying you have to sit at the tea house on campus. The views are great. The porch overlooks a hillside patterned with tea plants. You can buy a cup of tea. They give you a thermos of hot water for as many refills as you want. Finally I made it here. The morning sun is warming my back and birds are singing about left over sunflower seeds.
For the past two weeks Caleb has had a stomach virus. We have felt worried and overworked, so GaoYan’s parents came to help. This allows Yan and I time of escape from the house we don’t normally enjoy. Sunday I attended a local worship. And last night we rode the bicycle, Yan holding tight with her arms around my stomach, to the KFC to prepare our English lessons. We are even planning to get out of Hangzhou for a day to explore a nearby water town. And now God has brought me to this hour of peace.
In daily life my prayer time is filled with “Help me to be a good father and husband. Help me to reach out, encourage, and teach that person. Give us health. Give me strength.” There are hundreds of things I should do or be. Finally God has shown me rest in this hour of peace. In the distance behind me God has set rows and rows of mountains. For the past hour I have only thought about this tree covered hill before me meeting the light blue sky and God made it beautiful for my eyes. Or the bamboo trees blow back and forth without a sound.