May 04, 2011
My soul finds rest in God alone; My salvation comes from him. -Psalm 62:1
One year we rented a charming antique-filled cottage on the sound and it had two hammocks. That was great except there were four of us! The hammocks were situated on the front corners of the old style house secured by sturdy hooks on the ceiling of the covered porch. We each took turns “nesting” in our favorite hammock, complete with a pillow and even an old quilt to wrap up in at night while stargazing. It was great fun to see if two of us could comfortably fit in one of the hammocks together, but it was even more fun trying to get out of it without being spilled onto the floor!
What is more peaceful than a hammock? The inventor’s of the hammock, the Spaniards, originally wove threads together from the Hammok tree dating as far back as the 1600’s. What originated as a tropical invention has now swept across all boundaries and cultures as a useful, functional piece of furniture, inside and out. The gentle swaying motion of the hammock can be hypnotic. Being cradled in one is the ultimate in rest and relaxation. The troubles and cares of the world instantly disappear and for that moment or two, we are lost in our own deep world of solitude and peace. The hammock is accommodating of any age or any sized person. The way it molds into the shape of the individual makes it a customized fit.
It is fitting that on Mother’s Day we talk of solitude and peace. It is something that many Mother’s don’t get enough of. But whether we are Mother’s or not, we each know our limits and we instinctively know when to withdraw long enough to recharge our batteries. Luke 5:16 says that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”. When we long for the lazy days of summer in a hammock, that is our cue to find a quiet place and commune with Him. God can meet us anywhere, even in a hammock. He will restore, renew and revitalize our spirits if we make the time to find rest in Him.
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