after time away... a prayer of thanks...

Time away... reminds me...

You are everywhere... 

not just in my little corner...

Your love is so big... covers all people... 

not just those I know... and see... in my community...

You created all things... a vast array of landscapes... 

not just the one in which I reside...

You are with me wherever I go...

no matter how many miles... or how many days...

You are near...

Thank You for the blessing of time away...

for fresh reminders... upon returning home...

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord my God, you are very great!

Psalm 104:1 ESV

vacation...

vacation... noun... 1: a respite or a time of respite from something: intermission 2 a: a scheduled period during which activity... is suspended b: a period of exemption from work granted to an employee 3: a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation... 4: an act or an instance of vacating

---Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dict. (11th ed)

Vacation... a time away...
a time to vacate the usual...
but not a time to be away from Him...

For me... vacation leads to finding Him in new places...
not just in a different physical... geographical... locale...
but in movies... a novel... I wouldn't otherwise have time for...

We cannot vacation from Him...
we may miss regular worship services while away... or Sunday School...
but it can be a time to see Him in new light...
take more time to spend with Him...
not just squeeze Him into your busy schedule...

He is Life...
keep life in your vacation...

recognize Him while you're away...

...for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 ESV

it's been a journey...

Today... preparing for two weeks away... led me to review... where Jeremiah's Menu began... wondering how to approach the next two weeks.... in anticipation of iffy internet access...

Reading the earliest posts... after being called to blog six days a week... two and a half years ago... it strikes me...

It's been a journey...

Many of the first posts written... seem like they just happened... and I see transformation in me... and the writing... and wonder at the lessons remembered...

So for the next two weeks... I believe I'll re-post... some of the things I've learned along this journey...

A reminder... review... of His faithfulness... to me... along the way...

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings

I will sing for joy.

Psalm 63:5-7 ESV

(my emphasis)

Maybe you'll remember too... or read something you've never read before... any way... I hope you enjoy...

retreating...

retreat... an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable... a place of privacy or safety: refuge... a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director...

--- Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th Ed.) 

I'm going on one... the spiritual sort...
Three days... to be away...

Withdrawing from... doing... which has been overshadowing... being... to a place of refuge... for a directed time... of prayer... meditation... study... instruction...

Three days... a significant amount of time...
Abraham's journey to sacrifice Isaac...
Jonah's time in the great fish...
Jesus's days... entombed...

Don't know if they'll be significant for me...
just a journey... in letting go... and... being...

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death,

in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead

by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4 ESV

Seeking newness... of life...


[Note... even though I'll be away... pre-scheduled posts will appear... reminding you... to be...]