Dear Friends,
Those of you that know me, know that this time of year I usually have a few days away with my daughter… which we affectionally call our ‘fly and flop’ holiday. A few days mum and daughter time to properly decompress and unwind. A holiday where we do as little as possible.
Don’t throw no shade, as they say. It works for us and helps body and mind to decompress and recuperate.
Not so this year though. Instead, staycation is the name of the game. Or in my case… help hubby (in a small way) rebuild the shed (my man loves a project!) I’m currently painting my way through a mountain of featheredge.
Working outside in this heat is tough, even with the benefit of pergolas and a wet tea towel around your neck.
Hard as it is, I have found the repetitive task and being away from electronic devices really cathartic. It becomes easier to wonder and daydream. Reflect and plan. To be fully present in the moment and to linger in it a tad longer than usual.
So dear reader, I am reminded that taking yourself out of your everyday routine to rest is good for us. That ‘rest’ might also be found in the doing of something different rather than sitting still somewhere in isolation (helpful though that is).
I am reminded that God provided a day for us to rest, and we often hear of Jesus taking himself off to find a quiet place to do the same, as in this week’s Gospel reading.
I think then we should receive this gift graciously, unpack it and use it… just as it was intended. Nothing worse that finding the perfect gift for someone and them not even opening it don’t you think?
Love, Julia
Julia Jones