“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  

(Matthew 11:28, the Message translation)

This summer we’ve had our feet in 11 States, we’ve met with churches, organizations, and individuals that love El Salvador. We have seen the Statue of Libery, swam in Nana’s pool, had cousin sleepovers, and watched the kids hold their newborn niece. We’ve been prayed over, and we’ve prayed for. We’ve talked and talked about our vision for our next season of ministry, and we’ve sat in silence because we were too tired for words.

I wasn’t sure what to expect on this furlough. It has been a change, far more than it has been a rest. There have been the stressful and sometimes funny moments of reverse culture-shock, and the answering of many questions.

God is faithful in every circumstance and in between it all He has spoken quietly to my soul. Sitting on the beach as the day wound down, watching the miles roll by out the window, hearing my husband share again his El Salvador story, being encouraged by friends, and sitting on a porch in the northern Georgian mountains watching the fog roll in.

I realize now how badly I needed this break, how burned out I really was when I arrived. My perspectives were skewed by routine, and I felt bogged down. In the midst of this busy summer, God has called me away to Himself for moments of rest and for moments of remembering His great love for me. He is faithful here, just as He is faithful there.

The fog rolling over the Blue Ridge foothills. We are thankful for friends who gave us a peaceful few days in the mountains!