Picture this…It is a hot summer day and you have just finished working in the yard. You spent 2 1/2 hours pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, and spraying bug killer over the plants. When you get back into the house, wet with perspiration, dry mouth, and hands covered in dirt, what is the first thing you would do? Get a glass and fill it with cold water and gulp it down, right? I know I certainly would. The next thing I would probably do is get those sweaty clothes off and head to the shower. Ahhhhhh! Refreshment!
The definition of refreshment is – “To provide new vigor and energy by rest; to reinvigorate or cheer.”
Are you in need of refreshment from all you have been living? Do you need to be reenergized? Maybe there are family dynamics that are burdening you and you are tired of fighting. Maybe the pressure of parenting has you running in all directions and you are tired of the rat race. Maybe your job is draining you every hour of every day.
Is it time for you to find some time to get away from it all, take time to breathe, regroup and release the tension in your neck and shoulders? If it is, the only one who is going to make that call is you. Sometimes we let people pressure us into obligatory activities because we don’t want them to think badly of us. What do YOU need?
My husband, Ivan and I just came back from two weeks of refreshment in Maui. When we went, I was depleted from ministry and it took about five days to be able to take full breaths without thinking about it. FIVE days! I had been “runnin’ and gunnin'” to make sure the Chained No More Talk Radio shows were all set up for our time away, several people in crisis were calling me for help, and I had nothing left.
We didn’t do much the first week we were there except sit on the lanai, go on drives, sit on the beach and just try to breathe. Slowly, the deep breaths came, the shoulders lowered, the tension disappeared, and the laughter returned. It felt like I had just gulped down a tall glass of water and became refreshed. The warm air and fragrance of the sea was like that shower that covers in refreshment. Yes, this is what I needed!
The lesson I learned through all of this is that I need to be more diligent in taking time away from the pressures of life and let the Lord refresh me. I cannot serve Him well or be the best I can be when I am depleted. He is the Living Water and He is worthy of all my praise and worship. He soothes my soul, brings me deep peace, restores my joy, and brings light to my life…if I will let Him. I must pursue Him and his restoration.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When cam I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1,2