TAKE A BREAK

- June 27, 2024

"Hi, how are you, how you doing?...." I can't believe it's been a week since I boarded a train to Criccieth at 9am. I know God was in it especially train travel and meeting new people (no anxiety - ptl). At 1am Sunday I wrote my story plus another little story (I don't write stories, so watch this space), Making it 8 stories written since last years retreat. I met some amazing fellow Christian writers, old and friends; some I've only met via a screen.

Have you ever heard of the Biblical friends Mary and Martha. Mary, is the artistic poetic philosopher, who is thrilled to just bask in the moment. She is stirred, thrilled, touched and inspired by the presence of Jesus. Maratha, is certainly a doer, she worked her fingers to the bone in her super-efficient way. Yet, here in the story, Jesus rebukes Martha, It’s a gentle rebuke. I guess I've been a bit of Maratha always doing and finding it to rest.

"There was long moments of stillness and silence."

But during this time away I've learnt to be still, even relaxing on the beach for two hours one afternoon. I was with two other ladies on the beach and although there was conversation there was long moments of stillness and silence. Not even poetry came into my mind, some friends had prayed over me before I left; that the busy me would bask in the presence of Jesus and rest in his arms (prayers answered).

Coming home I've developed a cold, which has meant taking some extra time off. The weather has been glorious and I've done very little spending most of the time continuing to rest and process everything that happened while away on the Writer's Retreat. Also to physically get well, I've not even been walking.

I'm refreshed, rested and revived, ready to pick up the threads of life again next week. Still trying to fend of this cold, but understanding that perhaps God wanted me to have this extended time out. Just enough time to finish the jigsaw and catch up with my journaling. I'm by no means saying God made me ill with a cold, but its definitely given me time to look at what's important in life, and that is taking care of ourselves as we also take care of others (balancing the scales).

"A break from everything is needed once in awhile - Deavita"

I finish with a favourite quote that is used on my vacation email notification; 'A Break from Everything is Needed Once in a While...' - Deavita. Have you been able to take a vacation this year or this summer, time to switch off and recharge the batteries (physically, mentally, spiritually).