Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
My husband, Danny, and I love our twice a year getaways to the Nantahala Mountains of North Carolina. Our most recent trip, taken in mid-December, is long overdue. We have endured our share of stress over the preceding months. Especially in the season of Advent, when we are called to slow down and reflect, and not succumb to the world's interpretation of the days leading up to Christmas, our rest and relaxation comes at the perfect time.
Our cabin, appropriately named Heavenly View, is a haven of peace and serenity.
But it is the panorama of God's glory spread before us that brings the most comfort as He invites us to truly rest in His creation.
The only thing to remind us of Christmas' coming is a humble one, a nostalgic one, placed thoughtfully in the cabin by its owners.
And we thankfully recall who we are in the eyes of the Lord.
We remember what Christmas is all about . . .
~
As this New Year unfolds, with all its promises and uncertainties, will you trust and rest in the Lord?
Prayer: Father, may we never get so busy and distracted in our lives that we allow our focus to be on anything but You and Your heavenly view. We thank You for Your peace that passes all understanding. May we bring our burdens to You, through Christ Jesus, knowing our rest will be complete. It is in His precious name, we pray. Amen.
Hi Martha! First of all, move over, because I am coming to that house RIGHT NOW! It is just gorgeous, I love all the wood, and the porch, the fireplace...just everything. What a find!
ReplyDeleteThat little tree is so adorable too. What a way to start off the Advent season. Reflecting on the little ways we can celebrate the season. I hope your get-away was relaxing and restorative, and that your daily challenges were eased.
I truly enjoyed this Heavenly View.
Ceil
I'm so glad you liked the cabin and the post, Ceil! We usually use a rental company called Watershed, but this cabin was listed by Carolina Mountain Vacations, and it truly was an awesome find.
DeleteYes, this was a most restorative vacation for us. We can't wait to go back. :)
Love and blessings!
Martha, Your vacation spot with Danny looks absolutely amazing! It appears to be a place that could really invite introspection and just simply being and experiencing God. (A good place for a writer to write!)
ReplyDeleteAhh...yes, trusting and resting in the Lord. That really is a daily thing. It also combines my word for last year "trust" and what I think my word for this year is: "abide".
Love and blessings!
Yes, Kim, this vacation spot did meet and greet both those words, trust and abide. We all need to stop the ordinary from time to time, so we can enter into the extraordinary and bask in God's grace through His creation. When we are able to do so, He recreates us in the most marvelous of ways. Still, we can find His presence even in the tumultuous of times when we have eyes to see and ears to hear.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a beautiful place, wow it is high up too. that's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sharon, this was one of the highest cabins we have ever stayed in, and well worth it each day we were there. As I often say to Danny, our home is as comfortable as a cabin in the mountains, but we don't have the breathtaking view. We both need that reminder that God is so much bigger than imagination can ponder.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Our dream house has always been a long home. This will have to do since mine will probably be in heaven. :) Love that you and Danny take some time away to be together.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, Bill, that our true dream home will be in heaven one day. Yes, Danny and I really treasure these times when we can get away together and enjoy each other and God's creation.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh my goodness, that's gorgeous! I want to go there... actually I want to be there--right now! :) Finding rest and making time for it is so important. I seem to be hearing this message from several places. Hmmm, maybe God's trying to say something? Thanks Martha. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Jason, you would love it!
DeleteRest time is of utmost important, I believe, especially when we are feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from God (not a good place to be). These mountain getaways always recharge my spiritual batteries.
Love and blessings!
What a beautiful home! It looks positively peace-full! You know, it's funny, but I've always loved the mountains. A little over three years ago, we moved to a beautiful home, with a breathtaking view of mountains, trees, and green wooded valleys. But, sometimes I get so caught up in the *real-life living* that I have to do - bills, housework, etc - that I forget to stop and drink in the beautiful place where I live.
ReplyDeleteTrusting and resting in the Lord can be such a challenge - when we focus on the circumstances and situations that come along. But, when we focus on HIM, everything seems to fall in place. You know, today I'm going to look out my windows often, and thank Him for the reminder that He stands strong like the mountains, and will plant me firmly in Him like the trees.
GOD BLESS!
I'm so glad this post reminded you to sit back and enjoy the marvelous view you have spread before you each and every day, Sharon. I've often wondered if I lived with such a view every day if I would become immune to the beauty. I sure hope that wouldn't be the case!
DeleteYou are most fortunate to live in an inspiring place where a break from "real-life living" is right outside your window.
Love and blessings!
oh may what an amazing place. I am late in reading this post but needed just this today - the view, the words and rest. Thank you dear Martha!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the post, Jean. Yes, it was amazing, indeed, and I'm thankful to have all these photos (taken by Danny) as precious memories. Can't wait until we can go back! :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Such amazing pictures....lovely place. I wish I can visit it someday. Hope you had a great holiday :)
ReplyDeleteWe did have a wonderful holiday, Privy, and I hope yours was memorable and fun, too.
DeleteYes, this is one amazing place, and I hope we will be visiting the mountains again real soon.
Love and blessings!