Such a beloved word I get excited just thinking about it...
Chris and I had the wonderful opportunity to get away and rest this weekend in Palm Springs. We Priceline'd our hotel (a great resource for those on a budget, Dave Ramsey anyone?), had to fight for a king size bed, refused to accept extra resort fees, and survived the heat. But more importantly-- we were refreshed.
We have been in Compton for a year and a half now, and there are certain things we have adjusted to like: noise almost constantly-- car alarms, parents and kids yelling, cars driving by, dogs barking, did I say car alarms?-- prostitution occurring on our door step, and plenty of police activity to name a few. But it wasn't until we got away from those things that we realized how they impact us on a daily basis. There were far fewer cars on our vacation, one police car we noticed, and we even visited the mountains where we looked out over nature in absolute silence. What a gift. My soul was invigorated as I witnessed God's beauty and his hand in nature.
Coming home I began to realize how things like traffic and noise wear me down every day. My thoughts went to my neighbors and friends that I have grown close to in our time here in the city. Many of them do not have the ability to take a vacation. Many are working hard just to survive and do not have the resources to get away. They, too, are a gift. My soul is invigorated as I witness their dedication, their courage, and their strength on a daily basis.
It's good to get away for times of refreshment. It's even better to recognize the refreshment God brings to me every day at home.
