On a beautiful October day her freshman year in college, an everyday occurrence changed Cheryl Elton’s life forever. While walking across campus after a full day of classes, she looked toward the western sky, and awestruck, fell to her knees on the grass.
God’s extravagant paintbrush had crafted a magnificent sunset, displaying the striking dark outline of trees against pink and orange hues in all their glory.
In that moment, the troubles in Cheryl’s life fell away. She sat for a while, pondering the awesomeness of our Creator God, and His love for her.
God was speaking into Cheryl’s heart an assurance of His presence, as His indisputable peace filled and flooded every corner of her being.
Longing to discover God’s direction for her life, He was beginning to teach Cheryl what He would confirm again and again throughout her life—the secrets to hearing His voice:
- spend time in My presence
- quiet your heart to experience My peace
- give every concern to Me in prayer
By age 20, Cheryl made the life goal “To be at perfect peace in my heart all the time,” embarking on a lifetime journey to that end.
Significant times in Cheryl’s life in which she sought God’s counsel:
- when deciding to major in English (and later train in journalism, biblical studies, and copywriting).
- to write for publication (through the years, with a local newspaper, regional magazine, national and international figure skating magazines, poetry journals, and website copy).
- when Rich asked her to marry him (a ‘yes’, after a few previous ‘no’s’ with others).
- to give her the wisdom needed while raising two sons, and in many other ways throughout the 30+ years with her wonderful husband.
Scripture makes clear: God is always speaking—longing for us to dialogue and commune with Him daily—not only on rare occasions.
How about you? Do you long to grow closer to God and hear His voice?
Are you experiencing God’s peace, or struggling to find it?
Cheryl Elton’s prayer is that you’ll find some inspiration through her writing and speaking, and allow her to come alongside you in your odyssey of faith.
As Christians, we’re each on a lifetime journey . . .
We need God. We need each other.
We are not alone.
