Retreat

Jesus said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Mark 6:31

My handsome husband was forever losing his keys, wallet, or cell phone. Several times a month, we would kick off our morning with a great hunt for one of those items that you simply can't leave your house without. And although Easter eggs and buried treasure are fun to search for, this junk was NOT! 

We  divided and conquered as we turned the house upside down, searching through furniture, closets, pockets, and cars until we finally found them. Usually, exactly where he left them. We did this whole dog and pony show over and over again, always ending up stressed and mad at each other for one reason or another. You know the routine - Why did you move it? I moved it because it looked ugly there. If you'd left it, I'd know where it is. Why can't you remember where you put it? I'm certain we aren't the only married couple that sometimes turns on each other in petty stressful situations. BIg stuff that actually matters?  Oh yeah, we're bound together with glue. But, the silly little stuff?  it's every man for himself. :)

Obviously, this system wasn't working. We kept doing the same thing, over and over, expecting different results. Isn't that the definition of insanity or something? Finally, I designated A place for his stuff. "If you'll always put that stuff here as soon as you get home, you'll always know where it is," I very eloquently stated the extremely obvious.  

And, for the most part, I'd like to report that our new system worked! Stress alleviated! Mornings are more calm!

So many stressful moments in our lives can be easily avoided. But some, well, they just can't. In those moments when the stress and busyness of life is greater than our peace and energy, we MUST retreat. Jesus said to His disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Precious Ones, make the choice to not live a stressed life. The only way to avoid the stress and busyness plague of our century is to make it a priority to regularly retreat with Jesus. Stay in His Word. Meditate on it day and night. It is our only hope for living abundantly in a culture that will drain us dry. 

May the God of Rest draw you to retreat with Him today. 

Lindsey Pond