Reflections on Rest

Do you long for a retreat??

I'm not talking about the average women's retreats, or boys night out, or girls weekend away.

I'm writing about a real rest.  The kind that seeps into your body, mind, and soul..........reaching down into the depths of your heart and refreshes you emotionally, physically, mentally..........and........

spiritually.

We are spiritual beings.

We all long for intimacy but we sometimes don't know from Whom we get true intimacy.

I believe it is in a Higher Being. The Being being God.  A Father to all.

He loves unconditionally.  We won't get that in any other relationship here on earth.

I am slowly going through an old study book about the friendships of women. I say slow because, although I have read it cover to cover, I am finding that by going back and actually answering the questions and reflecting on the depth of what the author is saying, I need to let it sink down into my mind and soul.  I am resting in the wisdom of the words.  Through the Words.  Of the One who loves unconditionally.  I have learned a lot about my self, about past friendships and about current ones.  Oh how I treasure my friends....but oh how we need to treasure the True Friend...and yet.....do we spend time with the One who loves us? (i have more on the friendship book for a later post!)

and in the morning times when the house is quiet and the deck is warm with the morning sun, I have been reading from the book Fit and Healthy Summer.  And what a gem that is!!

It's a book about keeping our lives in balance.  About our health.  All of the areas of our health:  physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.

at the trail's end:  Spectacle Pond
Pharoah Lake Wilderness Area
Eastern Adirondacks
October 2010

What I have learned just this week (and in some ways I knew many of the principles already just by doing life for the last 53 years!) is that we need to retreat.

We need to fully rest.  So that we can hear from God the Father.  He wants to speak to our souls.

You don't have to be a nature lover like I am to take a retreat from the world's distractions.

You don't have to be a hiker, biker, or swimmer to enjoy the creation He has given us.....what a great gift!

You can just sit on your porch or your deck or lie in your grass.

You can just plop on the couch!

But take time.

breathe in, breathe out.

Be quiet.

I'm learning that Americans  don't like silence.  The author points out that many people don't like the quiet.

Because when we quiet ourselves and don't turn to any distractions (including cells, iPads, iTouches, twitter, blogs, internet, Facebook, ipods, smart phones, television, newspapers, radios, people....NOISE)

that is when we hear God.

In our souls.

This quote from the book Choosing Rest:  Cultivating a Sunday Heart in a Monday World, is one I really like:

"we need to face our own hearts.  We are afraid to choose rest because we are afraid of silence, afraid of what we might hear if all sounds were to cease"

and this quote from The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan:

"...without rest, we miss the rest of God;  the rest He invites us to enter more fully so that we might know Him more deeply.  Be still and know that I am God.  Some knowing is never pursued, only received.  And for that, you need to be still."

.

Retreating from our daily responsibilities is really ok!!  Maybe you can only do it on the Sabbath day.  The Sabbath can be different for everyone.  I no longer feel guilty when I hike on a Sunday like I did about 10 year ago.  I used to feel guilty!!!  YIKES...I was missing church!! Well, I have learned in the last 6 years that church is wherever God is.  I feel closest to God in nature.  So I might hike on a Sunday.  I can still worship.

Sometimes I just do a short hike to a lake and rest during the busy week.....time away....retreat.....good for my body...and soul.......and mind........

along the trail of Nine Corner Lake
Southern Adirondacks
16 July 2013
photo courtesy of, and used with permission by, Cheryl A. Blask

Yes, fellowship is important and hearing the pastor's wise words for us is vital for growth.

But....spending time alone is vital too.

We need to embrace God's love for us.

Wherever that is and however you do it.

Take time to rest.

Really rest.

Rest, by definition and using it as a verb is this:  to cease work or movement in order to relax.  To refresh ones self, to recover strength.

Rest, by definition and using it as a noun is:  an instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity.

Are you resting?

What are some ways you find rest for your body, soul, mind?

You know mine!  Mine is being outside with no electronics just sitting by a lake, hiking in the woods to get to a restful destination or enjoying coffee on my deck.

Also, that Scripture verse that talks about loving God with all our mind, soul, heart and strength......

if we are rested, and learning to listen to Him...that is a form of loving Him!!

Please share what works for you.....

and then  go  rest and let God embrace you! Around our house...I plan on doing just that this evening....sitting on the deck, still....listening to the silence...........to hear what I need to hear..........

please note:  hiking is not resting.  However, one can hike to a restful spot and "retreat" for a length of time that you determine.  Hiking DOES re-charge you and can be so refreshing!!