Rest for the Mind and comfort

August 2009:  I am exhausted, in need of comfort, having spent the past two months intensely caring for mom and dad.  At last,  a chance to get away for a few quiet days at our favorite place. 

Christmas Mountain, Wisconsin

I’ll  catch up, process, plan, get organized.  As I share with Galen how exhausted I am, he suggests what I need is rest.  He encourages me to put aside my “plans” for tomorrow.  He observes  that the energy expended over these stress-filled months have taken their toll.   I need to rest, not process and plan. 

After a good night sleep, the first in a long time, I spend some time in Ruth Barton’s Book Sacred Rhythms,  spending most of my time on the chapter entitled  “Rest for the Mind.”   

I rest

      solve

      no problems

            process

            nothing

And go for a walk. 

Standing in the quiet

of the country lane I pray

"Oh, God, I need your comfort

Sometimes you seem so present

other times so far way . . .

      like now."

Today . . . right now

I need to feel you close

I need to hear from you

I continue walking

Is there something you have here

for me?

Through the trees ahead I hear

      footsteps scurrying

      to and from house to car.

      car doors opening and

      slamming shut

      Muffled voices

And then a clear, comforting voice ringing out

“Here I am.”

And I know I have “heard” from You.

Now three years later, I look back and see your comfort during the 7 weeks that followed until my mom died and then as I card for Dad.  

 I am grateful.  My prayer today this Sept. 11, is for those in need of comfort.

page from “Life Lessons” StoryBook