Soak in the Sun, Soak in the Savior

By: Aliya Deshotel

There is something sacred about living in a small town.

In the city, it seems like something is always happening. Traffic never slows. Noise never stops. Lights never dim. There’s always somewhere to go, something to buy, something to chase.

But here, surrounded by open land, massive trees, winding bayous, and quiet mornings, we are given a gift that many people don’t even realize they’re missing.

Stillness.

Some of my favorite days are the simple ones. Riding around the bayous with my husband. Windows down. Sun shining. No rush to be anywhere. We’ve seen some of the most peaceful corners of Avoyelles Parish, places where the water reflects the sky and trees so perfectly it almost looks painted. Places where the cypress trees stand tall and beautiful, where wildlife sneaks around, where the only sound is wind brushing through the leaves and the birds calling. This is my happy place.

I could sit outside and stare at nature all day.

And truthfully, sitting outside is healthy - spiritually and physically.

When you sit in the sun, your body absorbs vitamin D, which supports your immune system, strengthens your bones, improves your mood, and even helps regulate sleep. Sunlight increases serotonin - the hormone that helps you feel calm and focused. That warmth on your skin isn’t just comforting; it’s restorative.

But the benefits go deeper than biology.

When you sit quietly in creation, you begin to notice things. The way the light filters through the trees. The rhythm of birds. The stillness of the bayou. The wildlife just passing by. And in that stillness, it becomes easier to hear God.

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

Out here, it’s hard to miss.

A recent Sunday in church, Father spoke about how easily we become distracted by material things. The bigger house. The newer car. The next purchase. We convince ourselves that once we get “that thing,” we’ll finally feel satisfied.

But the truth is, material things were never meant to fulfill us.

We may not have it all - but who actually needs it all?

Contentment doesn’t come from accumulation. It comes from appreciation.

Somewhere in the world, someone is living with far less than we have - and they may have a deeper gratitude than many of us ever show. True joy doesn’t depend on luxury. It grows from thankfulness.

Living in a small town gives us daily reminders of that truth. We are surrounded by beauty that cannot be bought. Sunrises over fields. Moss hanging from ancient trees. Quiet roads that lead nowhere in particular but feel like peace itself.

Maybe we don’t need more noise.
Maybe we don’t need more stuff.
Maybe we just need more stillness.

Take a few minutes this week. Step outside. Sit in the sun. Let it warm your face. Let your shoulders relax. Let your heart slow down.

Soak in some sun.

And soak in some Jesus.

You might realize that what you already have is more than enough.