The other morning a dear friend and I grabbed coffee. Our conversation held the usual topics; our kids, school starting, family activities, and so on. In truth, I came to our meeting tired and frazzled.
In conversation I lamented over the end of summer. The long lazy days seemed like a breath of normalcy in the midst of so much uncertainty. Why did it have to come to an end? I confided in my friend the guilt I felt over being exhausted and craving a break, even though we’ve been less busy. What was my excuse?
She gently reminded me even Jesus took breaks. In fact Luke 5:16 says “ Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.”
It was just what I needed to hear.
Sometimes as a wife and mom, I get so caught up in caring for everyone else, that I don’t take the time to withdraw myself and spend quality time away with the Lord. I’m pretty consistent with carving some sort of daily devotional time out of my day, and that is good and necessary. But also different from withdrawing to “deserted places” to pray.
Before you write me off or roll your eyes and say, “Well sure, wouldn’t we all like that? I just can’t do that at this stage of my life.” I know, I get it. It’s hard and not always possible to do in some big exciting way. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek opportunities to withdraw to deserted places for time with the Lord.
Maybe it’s asking a grandparent or a friend to help with the kids for half a day. Maybe it’s taking an evening off with the husband’s help. Or sitting out under the stars after everyone else has gone to bed. Whatever withdrawing to a deserted place with the Lord looks like to you, take it. It is in Him that we find joy and strength. Psalm 62:1-2 reads,
“I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken.”
No matter what season of life we’re in we have this sure and steady anchor. What a glorious hope! Let us not neglect to withdraw to Him, to confide in Him, to worship Him, to rest in Him.
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Charlann Glenn 