It’s that time of year when, if you haven’t yet taken your “before school returns” summer vacation, your time is getting very limited! I know friends who have gotten away to Colorado Springs for the week, to Hawaii for a family gathering, to the mountains for a camping trip—and I myself had a surprise, last-minute trip to Florida to see my aunt (my dad’s sister). Whatever your choice of vacation, it’s always nice to get a little breather, a change of pace before heading into the school year ahead.
(I’d love to hear if you were able to manage a getaway in the comments below!)
In thinking about the benefits of escaping regular life—getting a refresh, taking a break, going somewhere new or cherished where your heart soars—I realized how deeply our souls yearn for a private oasis. Whether it’s beachside, mountaintop, forest, or country lanes… our hearts long for a quiet place where we can step away from daily life, breathe again, and maybe even gain clarity and a new perspective on things we’ve been stuck in.
My last-minute Florida trip was just that. I found myself on the phone asking my aunt if I could crash on her couch the next day. Ha! And the answer was yes. I ended up squeezed into the last seat on the plane (last row window—but there was no window), next to a sweet 90-year-old woman flying with her son to her new home in memory care. It was quite the ride! But I got there—to a place I had only been once before, as a teenager.
The heat rolled in through the airplane vents before we even deplaned, and I immediately questioned what I had gotten myself into. Humidity and this Colorado girl don’t usually mix. But what I found ahead was an oasis—a private oasis. I spent my days floating in the warm, green water of the Gulf, surprised at the lack of waves and how calm it was (I’m a Pacific Ocean kind of girl!). With hardly any crowds at Honeymoon Island, I was able to sing and talk to God, floating in the ocean—unaware and unconcerned with anyone’s opinions. It was just me and the Lord.
That green, warm water became my sanctuary. In it, I sang. I poured out my heart to God. I laughed, grieved, and cried with Him. It was a double blessing to also see my aunt—who reminds me so much of my dad and is such a beautiful, God-loving woman—and my cousin too.
Coming home and immediately getting sick felt like an abrupt ending to the trip. As I flew out of Tampa, the private oasis I had just experienced with the Lord disappeared beneath the clouds. But you know what I remembered?
To be with God, to receive from Him, to commune with Him—we don’t need to travel to a specific place like they did in the Old Testament. Our private oasis with the Lord is accessible anywhere and everywhere. It’s not about location—it’s all about His presence.
Yes, even being stuck on the plane on the tarmac for an extra two hours—I could close my eyes and be in a private oasis with the Lord. Even at home. In the backyard. At work. Driving in the car. In hospital rooms. Why? Because it’s not about the place—it’s about His presence.
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” —Psalm 139:7
“You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” —Psalm 3:3
There is no place in this world or beyond that God’s presence is not with us. He’s available 24/7—on the best day of our lives, the worst day, and all the in-between.
So friend, I hope you do get some vacation days in! I hope you enjoy a refreshing oasis, like I did floating in that green ocean with the Lord. But even more, I hope you know: when the vacations end, when the schedule ramps back up or challenges reappear, God still has a private oasis for your soul. And you can access it—anytime, anywhere.
How to Access This Private Oasis in God’s Presence:
1. Talk to Him about everything.
While floating on the sea, I realized I had assumed I’d talked to God about certain things in my heart—but I hadn’t actually brought them fully before Him. Speaking it out—laying it before Him—was healing. He already knows, but there’s something powerful in saying, “Here’s what’s going on,” and handing it to Him. It humbles us. It opens us. It reminds us how dependent we are on Him. So get honest with God. Talk to Him today.
2. Feel the peace. Hold onto the peace.
I loved those green waves because the peace was tangible. The sunlight kissed my shoulders, the water was warm, the gulls flew overhead—it was peace I could feel. While we may not always get to dwell in physical peace, we have access to something even more powerful: internal peace.
It’s the kind of peace that carries us through any storm. I’m learning how to stay with that peace longer. Instead of rushing off, I try to linger in that moment. His peace is His gift to us.
No matter what has been taken from us, we can still have God’s peace and joy. (Ask Corrie ten Boom!)
3. Prioritize His Word.
The idea for this blog came from my daily Bible reading. Verses about oasis, rest, and renewal stood out to me (like the verse on the graphic below!)
Reading His Word brings peace. It becomes a resting place. A dear friend of mine is always working on memorizing scripture—it inspires me! She’s feeding her soul with it. We can do the same. Read the Word. Meditate on it. Sing it. Memorize it. You will never regret doing so.
In closing, let me pray for you, friend:
Lord, thank you for this summer. Thank you for the oasis we’ve been able to enjoy—through vacations, still moments, and simple joys. But even more, thank you that the private oasis with You never fades, never ends. It’s always there, always accessible. Thank You for being our place of peace, our refuge, our renewal.
We want to be honest with You. To bring our hearts before You and admit our struggles. In our weakness, You are strong. Teach us to sit in Your peace and not rush past it. And help us to prioritize Your Word, knowing it fills us with life, hope, and clarity. Your presence is our oasis. Thank You for meeting us right where we are.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Here are some pictures from my last-minute adventure to Florida.
Enjoy resting in the private oasis of Jesus’ presence this week, friends.
Until next time,
Melanie
P.S. I always love to hear from my friends…. comment below on this discussion question:
Also, coming up VERY soon is my night of encouragement live (summer edition: porch talks!) You are invited! We will be talking all things Peace & Presence of Jesus. Mark it on your calendar and I will see you there! https://www.youtube.com/@melanietalevski
Melanie Talevski 