Psalm 23:1-4 NIV 
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
He leads me beside quiet waters, 
He refreshes my soul. 
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil, for You are with me. 
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

[06/21/2025; Sony A6400 // iPhone 14 ProMax] 

I wasn’t in Dubrovnik for very long, just one night in fact, but for a brief moment it seemed like I wasn’t going to make it there at all. 

I was with my buddy Cole, and our jet had been diverted to Bari Airport in Italy after two failed landing attempts at Dubrovnik Airport due to high winds. During the diversion, Cole and I couldn’t believe what was happening. Neither could the other passengers. You could see the look of confusion and fear on everyone’s faces. And yet, through it all, Cole and I couldn’t stop laughing. We had never experienced anything like it. 

“This isn’t real,” he said to me through laughter, and we were both on the verge of tears from laughing so hard. Sometimes that’s all it takes for a place to leave its mark, or I guess in this case, the middle of the sky. 

After hours in the air, we finally landed in Bari, Italy. Our jet was running low on fuel, and it still wasn’t safe to land in Croatia. We lost some time on our trip, but the landing felt like an exhale. A pause. A moment to be still. I was traveling with a good friend, someone I’ve shared many trips with, and though the visit was shorter than planned, the peace it gave me lingered far beyond the tarmac. 

As the saying goes, “Third time’s the charm.” After refueling, we hit the sky yet again, and alas, we made it to Dubrovnik. We arrived late in the afternoon, the sun just beginning to dip toward the Adriatic. The city unfolded before us, right outside the view from our hotel lobby, overlooking the waterfront. After dropping our bags, we made a quick walk down the stairs and right into the water. It was a really nice day out, perfect for a swim. 

Fast forward a bit, after exploring the city and a good portion of the Old Town. That evening, we found ourselves right where we started, on the patio of the hotel lobby overlooking the water. It was a quiet spot by the sea, and by then, it was very dark out, but the lights were still up. The breeze was gentle, the water unbelievably clear. I remember thinking, He leads me beside still waters. Not just physical waters, but the kind of stillness that resets your soul. 

Sometimes rest sneaks up on you. Not in grand vacations or long sabbaticals, but in small pauses and unexpected pockets of peace. That night, Croatia felt like God’s whisper. Be still. I’m here. 

Later that night, Cole and I left the balcony to call it a night, he went to his room, and I went to mine. Once I got to my room I actually stayed up quite a bit longer. I got on FaceTime with a close friend I haven’t spoke to in a while. Even though I only got a few hours of sleep before our early morning flight, I went to bed feeling full, I couldn’t help but smile, like my heart was settled, grounded, and reminded once again that God shows up in unexpected, beautiful ways. 

The next morning, we left early to head to the airport. We didn’t do much. We ate some fire airport sandwiches. I grabbed coffee, my camera around my neck, and we waited. Nothing on the agenda but to get back to England. Unfortunately, we were hit with three delays. But even in the annoyance, I was reminded that rest doesn’t always mean stopping everything. Sometimes it just means reorienting your heart. Turning your attention back to the One who refreshes you from the inside out. 

Psalm 23 isn’t just about green pastures and still waters. It’s about the Shepherd. The One who sees our tiredness and meets us with refreshment. The One who invites us to let go of our pace, our pressure, and just be with Him. And in a place like Dubrovnik, with its slow rhythms and stunning views, it was easy to say yes to that invitation. 

As we packed up to leave, I felt great, not in the rushed, adrenaline-filled way that travel sometimes brings, but in a quiet, soul-deep way. Like something in me had been gently reset. 

Closing 

Maybe you’ve been moving at full speed lately. Maybe your days feel anything but peaceful. If so, let this be your reminder. God is still leading. Still inviting you beside quiet waters. Still in the business of restoring souls. Not always through grand gestures, but sometimes through sunsets, friendships, and a few short hours in a beautiful city. 

As we walk with Him, may we not just chase what’s next, but pause long enough to let Him restore us. Because rest is holy. Stillness is sacred. And the Shepherd is already ahead of you, waiting beside the water. Jesus is KING. 

As you reflect this week, ask yourself 
Where might God be inviting me to rest? 
Where is He leading me beside still waters, and have I slowed down enough to follow? Please share in the comments!

💎