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On Sunday afternoon I went to visit my oldest daughter. After being there for a few minutes, it became increasingly evident that something was wrong. It was a warm day, and the little apartment where she lives with her husband and baby was hot. The fans were blowing, with little relief. On top of that, the prior week had been an exceptionally draining week for her, with many unusual activities and interactions that managed to sap her emotions. She was tired...she was hot...and yes, she was just a tad grumpy.
Suddenly it came to me. Before I knew it, I found myself announcing to her husband that we were leaving for a bit (leaving him to watch the baby). It was a rather bold move on my part, but while I felt a bit guilty for leaving him to fend for himself I knew it had to be done. Her husband, as always, was wonderful and graciously accepted his role in this venture.
Thus we found ourselves wandering the aisles of nearby air-conditioned department stores with no particular goal in mind. We even made our way to the pet store in the mall - one of our favorite things to do - and spent considerable time acting like idiots in front of the glass windows that separated us from the puppies, kittens, gerbils, lizards, etc etc etc...(by the way, who in their right mind would PAY $115 for a kitten when millions of people are giving them away???). We found a rack in Old Navy on which hung adorable outfits in my granddaughter's size for only $1.98. HOW FUN IS THAT?????
So on it went, finding bargains, slurping Icees at Target, and simply enjoying each other's company. Before we knew it, we had been gone for almost 3 hours.
Back we trekked to the apartment, and found much joy in unpacking all our treasures to share with Daddy and Baby. But it wasn't until we had been back for a few minutes that I realized the magnitude of what had happened. My daughter was a different person. She was relaxed, happy, and ready to face another week of stay-at-home-mommying. What had happened? She was rescued. She was taken away for a time of refreshing and renewal, a time when she didn't have to think about responsibilities, wet diapers, or a stuffy apartment. Her spirit was re-energized. And her momma was filled with joy at what had happened.
Isn't this what Christ longs to do for us? I imagine He spends a lot of time waiting. Waiting for us to slow down. Waiting for us to allow Him to "take us away" to a place that will truly refresh our spirits. As I have reflected on this miracle with my daughter, this is where my thoughts have gone.
I have a Heavenly Father who loves me infinitely more than I can imagine. He knows my fatigue, my agonizing thoughts, my work schedule, my worries. And He wants to make it better. He wants to visit me in moments of quiet, to speak soothing words to my harried spirit and help me re-focus my heart. I want to be responsive to His voice calling to "take me away."
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul."
(Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)
