Feet in the Sand
Jesus said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. – Mark 6:31-32 (NRSV)
It’s been two years since my wife and I had the chance to go to the place that represents restoration and re-creation for us: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The air there just smells right, and there is nothing like the sound of the ocean to soothe me.
Last year we didn’t go because of Covid. This year, joyful family milestones require us to travel in other directions. We’re busy, and that busy-ness is some parts wonderful and other parts challenging.
I appreciate the emotion conveyed in Jesus’ words to the disciples, who had just returned from their two-by-two missions to proclaim repentance and offer healing to people who might or might not want to receive them. So relatable. How many of us spend our lives offering something good to others and hearing that they don’t want it? The disciples needed a break.
We can’t take that trip to our special place this summer, but we can remember what it feels like to step back from our work, to reflect on it, and, where appropriate, to let go of what didn’t work. For us this week, that happened sitting outside a local ice cream place, our view an apartment building. As we unpacked the day, we imagined the ocean on the other side.
I could almost feel my feet in the sand.
Prayer
Holy One, help us to find the place we need to go to rest with you, if not in body, then in mind and spirit. Amen.
About the AuthorMartha Spong is a UCC pastor, a clergy coach, and editor of The Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggle, new from The Pilgrim Press.