“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91: 1-2
I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.’”
I woke up this morning with plenty to do. But I had a strong desire to get away. It’s the last official weekend of summer—Labor Day weekend.
I had one idea in mind: BEACH DAY! We packed sandwiches, snacks, drinks, chairs, sunscreen, and beach shoes. We drove to a lake half an hour from our home.
Lapping water and waves. Sand between our toes. The sounds of people giggling and a variety of music in the distance. The smells of sunscreen and food cooking on a charcoal grill. The soothing combination of warm sunshine and a cool breeze. The beauty of a variety of boats in a rainbow of colors and styles—speed boats, sail boats, pontoon boats, jet skis, and kayaks.
Time away to rest and reflect. Exercise in the open air. Space and freedom.
The Lord designed us to need rest. He created us to take breaks and enjoy peaceful times with loved ones and on our own. These opportunities allow us to refuel and gain a clearer perspective of our lives. Not everything is urgent enough to be tended to immediately.
These breaks are not full-fledged vacations, but a day for space and reflection. They also provide an opportunity to focus on the beauty of God’s creation.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for fun and rest. Thank You for the variety of spaces and places, and all of Your creations. Please help us to take time out of our lives to enjoy all that You have given us. Please remind us to add these times into our plans as often as possible and to adjust our schedules when it’s especially needed.
In Christ’s name,
Amen
Journal: Where do you find yourself most able to rest, reflect, and refresh? How can you incorporate time for these activities/experiences in your upcoming plans?
Porch Chair Prayers 