Here In This Mundane Place Among These Mattering Things

*picture above: Rattlesnake Lake, North Bend WA

“When weekly rhythms of rest are at their best for me, I find myself plopped on a blanket with a packed lunch. If it is fall or early winter, I wear a cap, gloves, and clothes warm enough to withstand three hours outside. In a bag, I have my Bible, some paper, and a stack of poetry or a novel. Nestled between the shade of trees of one of my favorite sabbath-rest places, I look out over Creve Coeur Lake, or maybe I look down the long hill to the fountained waters of Forest Park. I wear tennis shoes and walk, maybe miles. Sometime when it rains, I just sit in my old red truck looking out over the lake.

Here in this mundane place among these mattering things, I’m surrendered into listening again.

I’m listening for God. Laying my burdens down. Being taken up by him. Grateful and glad laughs return. Sometimes I cry awhile without fully knowing why. But he does. These burdens are his.”

—Zack Eswine