Jeff bought a Texas State Park pass about a month ago, so we’ve been spending a lot of time out at the lake with the boys. You’ve never seen any two boys happier than my two when they’re in the water. I’ve never been much of an outside person, but I’ve been making strides in that arena. Being married to an adventurer, and being the mother of two little Grizzly Adams I’ve finally given in to the fact that the outdoors needs to be a big part of my world. Sweating has become not so gross, dirt has become not so obnoxious, and getting tangled in the seaweed is like second nature. Well, almost.
I took a week of vacation from work this week to unwind, and pull myself back together. One could call this a staycation, but I’m going to call it more of a stay-at-home sabbatical. I don’t recall a time in recent history where I’ve taken any time off of work for a purpose other than doing something for someone else, so this was kind of a big deal. I was doing this just for me, with the rest of the family benefiting from my being home and not in the office. It has been a truly restful week.
The other day we took a morning trek out to the lake to spend a few hours. Honestly, I wish we had done this more than we did, but anyway. H is splashing around in his floaty growling at the seaweed and his brother, Jay was in a splash war with Jeff, and I was just laying on my back with my eyes closed soaking in the serenity around me. In my moment of personal escape the Lord broke the silence and reminded me that while I’m laying here enjoying the relaxation and peace in the physical waters that I forget in my daily busy to rest in the Living Water. Whoa.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s Sake.” – Psalm 23:1-3
Ah, rest. Is there anything more that I need than the rest I can only find in Him? The restoration that only comes from a complete surrender of my days, hours, minutes to His purpose? Allowing the cleansing waters to flow over me and fill me to overflowing? Why do I fail this? Why, in all of my human splendor, do I fail to spend this time with Him? Because I’m selfish, and stubborn. Because I place what I think I know is best for me above what He already knows is best. Because I trust what I think over what He thinks. Because I value my plans more than I value His plans. Because I don’t love Him enough to value His sacrifices over my desires. That’s why. Rest is not so unattainable as I make it out to be.