So they went away by
themselves in a boat to a solitary place Mark 6:32
Several years ago, my husband bought a t-shirt that reads:
Mark 6:32 – when Jesus said rest and relax, he probably meant you should
paddle. So enjoy the sharp rocks, steep
portages, mosquito bites, high winds, bears, rain, and rapids.
Every year our family travels to Ely, Minnesota for a week
on the lake with limited distractions. We pack up games, books and lake necessities and take time to enjoy one
another and get back to nature. It has
been a tradition in our extended family since the 1940s and the resort has
become a family reunion destination of sorts. We sleep in the same cabin, often eat the same meals and relax in
familiarity.
When I tell people about the trip I immediately say the best
part is no television, no phone, and no internet. Even though I work in technology and I
appreciate all the things that our electronic tools can help us do (my dearest
appliances are the microwave and the Roomba vacuum) I long for a break from
these tools and conveniences. This week
takes us to a place that is remote and, while not necessarily solitary it gives
us time with nature, time with one another, time with family seen infrequently
and time away from the “comforts of home”. When we go into town for groceries or meals we have all been guilty of
using our phones for e-mail, news updates or texting with friends, but there is
true relaxation in getting away from the rush of commitments and
responsibilities that fill our time and all the devices that distract us from
one another.
Don’t get me wrong, we have been on more glamorous
vacations, but we always end up back in the 100-year-old cabin, heating the
water to do the dishes and walking up the hill for a shower. And we always take the boat, to our solitary
place.
Prayer: Creator of all things, thank you for times of
solitude and rejuvenation. Thank you for the gifts of technology and the
opportunity to take a break. Thank you for helping us to find balance. Amen
Christi Moock
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