ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This time of year, used to be reserved for hunting deer, squirrel, pheasants. I remember coming home one day to find recently besieged and already rigamortised pheasants staring at me from the refrigerator. We quickly put an end to that. Soon hunting became more of an escape to his happy place. Even though there was an occasional loss to the deer population, Paul found pleasure in absorbing as much of God’s creation that he could. He’d experience little chickadees landing on his shoulders. He witnessed deer munching on acorns just a few feet away from him. A majestic eagle would soar above, surveying his next meal. The sounds, smells and touch of being in the outdoors has since become one of his favorite spots.

We all desire a quiet place – a place made just for us. It can be the peaceful beauty of a flower garden, where the only sounds are birds chirping and singing their messages to other birds. It can be the serene humming of a bee as it pollenates each ripe bloom. It can be the hum of a tractor or a combine as the fields of summer are harvested. It could be the vision of an old run down barn or a newly built one. It might be a place that doesn’t even exist.

My quiet place is often a creation I make within the deepest parts of my mind. My imagination carries me over raging seas into a blissful paradise. A kaleidoscope of tiny fragments of memories creates delightful patterns on the ceiling. Soft, muted lights with shadows of intricately woven lace are pressed into the wall. Colors are blurred and brush strokes swirl them into a quiet energy. This energy revitalizes, restores and renews. All of it is created by a loving Father who uses His strength to bring peace. This is my quiet place – the place where comfort abounds and chaos takes a long vacation.