Today we are having a mini retreat by retreating into a big comfy chair & putting our feet up…enjoying a large cup of our favorite beverage & munchies, mine is a mug of Earl Grey & a bowl of salted caramel popcorn!
I need to just sit & have some time out…Don’t you? Time out from the world, time out from busyness, time out from expectations, time out from the pressures of life, time to just Pause & Reflect… To sit with you dear friend in our time of tea & reflection together…
Now we are seated with our refreshments, I want to know…How are you at the moment? What’s happening in your world that has you longing to have some time out?
Mine is…that…I’m so very weary…It has been a huge year! Do you feel that way too?
Have you noticed how weariness spreads throughout our entire body & clouds our mind, creating a fatigue that can only be described as bone weary…It’s reaches so deeply into our beings that its down to the bone!
My goal for this year was to try & get out to meet up with friends & family more, aiming to balance the extra activity with meditative & restorative quietness…
As you may know if you join me here regularly, I have just had a milestone birthday shared in Ages & stages… And to celebrate, my aim is to catch up for a One on one time… with each individual in my world, for a tea time together, throughout this year.
However this is proving to be a bit tricky…As you may know it’s quite a challenge for me to get this balance just right, since the nasty tenants moved in… shared in Focus
But I’m on a learning curve with Knowing my body’s capacity… & gleaning wisdom from the example in Jesus’ life while He was here on earth. Learning how He perfectly balanced activity with drawing apart in Contemplative restoration.
I do this in the following ways;
- As we are doing today, by putting my feet up & having a restful & refreshing time of tea & reflection, this may include writing for our reflection or personal journaling.
- I also like to take a walk along the waterfront smelling the salt air, listening to the ebb & flow of the waves, the choral of the birds & feeling that refreshing sea breeze upon my face…
Contemplative time with the Father can be done in many ways, but the main wisdom in having this time…is time out from the busyness in our lives for peaceful reflection, meditation, restoration & the refreshing of our spirits, minds & bodies with Him.
Just as Jesus invited us to come to Him while here on earth, we can also choose to spend time with Him through the Spirit of God today;
“Come to Me, all who are weary & heavy laden, & I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, & learn from Me, for I am gentle & humble in heart & you shall find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29
Well my cuppa was most enjoyable & the popcorn was delicious, thank you for sharing this time together.
I am feeling a lot more refreshed in body, mind & spirit now…I hope you are too…
Until next time dear friend…
Jennifer
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It is good to just stop and enjoy a bit of stillness Jennifer. I missed your big birthday as I was on a blogging break. Wishing you a belated happy birthday.
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Thank you Brigid for the birthday wishes 😀
Stillness is so very necessary, isn’t it…
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Taking a little time for ourselves is so good for the soul! Great post!
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Thank you & glad you enjoyed our mini retreat together 😀
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Thank you for this sweet time, Jennifer! I need a time of rest and reflection, thank you for the gentle reminder. Blessings always❤️
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It was a pleasure to have you drop by for a cuppa & time out Pam ♥
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What a delightful time with you as always. I have begun to think that learning how to adjust is one of the most valuable life skills we need to acquire and develop. When we are younger, I don’t think we anticipate it will be a lifelong skill we will need and one we don’t enjoy a great deal no matter how spontaneous we may be (or think we are).
In this season I have adjusted to the richness of having less stress post-retirement and yet I still find more things than I would have guessed that want to pull my attention and time away from the important and most significant things I desire to pursue. We are also ever-adjusting to our changing family dynamics as we have 3 of our 6 grandchildren as young adults. One is already pursuing her nursing career following college graduation a bit over a year ago. Another will graduate in a few months from college while a third one is nearing the end of his second year of college. Two of them are in significant dating relationships with persons from college who hail from different states than their own. (One more grandchild heads off to college in the fall.) As a result we have had to adjust to seeing our precious grandchildren less often and know that it will be less as careers and future marriages move them into new seasons. When we travel to see our adult children, they are more often the only ones there and we watch them adjusting to this new season in their children’s lives as they try to handle letting go of them more and more.
I am more aware of the blessing of good health to this point and keenly aware it could change at any time. Stewarding it means I take sleep, food, exercise, and healthy influences of all kinds much more seriously than I did several decades ago.
What a journey the Lord has each of us on, but the grandest thing is knowing He goes with us into each new decade and season.
Blessings on you, my friend!
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Thank you Pam & I agree that adjustment in each season of our lives is definitely a learning curve.
You have a great deal happening in your life too.
My eldest granddaughter just came for a surprise visit from the other side of the world where she now lives & works, such a lovely time in seeing her. But it is an adjustment as life progresses & changes!
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I had water 🙂 but I certainly enjoyed our time together 🙂 Thank you for sharing
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Water is so refreshing Brenda, I must confess apart from tea, water is my next favorite beverage!
Lovely having you drop by 😀
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You have summed up my start to 2019 perfectly Jennifer…”It has been a huge year already & it has just started!” Self-care is so important now and let’s hope things settle down a bit. Xx
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Absolutely Marie! 😀
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On our vacation I learned that it is most helpful to my family members when I let them know I am tired. I always thought I needed to soldier on, but it turns out they don’t like me when I do that. Apparently, unbeknownst to me, I am more grumpy that I realize when I push myself. Never to old to learn new things. I hear you about the need for rest that comes with chronic health challenges.
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Yes, I hear you Elizabeth, we want to soldier on for our families but it can be detrimental to all concerned including us. I’m glad they could be open with you & you were receptive to their wisdom 😉
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I am never too old to hear new advice.
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A healthy place to be Elizabeth 😀
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I so wish I lived near the ocean so I could take a prayer walk every now and then, Jennifer. Instead, once the weather turns warmer, I head to a nearby park to pray. It’s something I look forward to every spring, summer and fall. Thanks for slowing us down and reminding us to connect with the Father!
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God’s creation is a beautiful setting for that time of sweet commune with Him whether by the seaside, in the garden, park or even in a big comfy chair 😉 isn’t it…
Lovely having you drop by 😀
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So looking forward to my quiet moments later today with a second cup of P.G. Tipps.
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Hope you enjoyed it with delight Michele 😀
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My year has already been much busier than I ever expected or desire. Some of it is my own fault; some of it is just life. But for Lent, I want to really slow down as much as I can. My theme is say no and go slow. 🙂 So thanks for the encouragement here to value rest.
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Yes Lisa, we need wisdom to know when to say no, which is definitely a learning curve in life but a necessary one for restoration. 😉
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I am learning to not feel guilty when I take the time to rest and just be in the midst of the busyness of life and day to day stuff. thanks for the beautiful reminder – 🙂
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Lovely to have you do by Debbie 😀
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Grateful for meditation moments… ❤ Blessings and love, dear Jennifer.
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Thank you Bette ♥
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Jennifer, you perfectly described the weariness I am feeling. Life has taken me in a different direction the last few months and it dies take a toll. It’s a rainy morning here in Texas and I am catching up on my blog reading and will take some time for myself today. But now, I am off to make a cup of Earl Gray because it sounds so good. I ❤️ your imagery. It’s like we really are sitting an enjoying tea together. Cheers!
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Thank you Cynthia, yes I do understand weariness! Its raining here too today…
I’m glad you joined me for a little retreat though & caring for yourself. I know your cup of Earl Grey would have both refreshed & comforted you. As it does for me 😉
I enjoy having you drop by 😀
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Hi Jennifer.
I so wish I could join you for a cuppa. We seem to have so much in common. I love this post…life was not meant to lived as a list of boxes to check off, but sometimes we all feel that way. Thanks for reminding us to make time for retreat.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
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How lovely that would be Tammy! Yes we do need to retreat & refresh with Him often 😀
Lovely having you drop by for our virtual cuppa together though 😀
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