Are you just blowin off steam? Or are you dropin the fire?

Sometimes you just need a whistle-stop.

While I have not officially been on vacation, these past two weekends I took some time to pull into the station and refill the tender. Two weekends ago for the 3 day weekend over the 4th of July, my wife and I got to spend the entire weekend together. Besides inviting our friends over to pull into a siding and jump in our pool for the Splash Express on July 4th, my wife and I totally geeked out on the history of George Washington. We watched a 3 part docuseries on the history of George Washington and we also went to see the movie, Young Washington! Then this past weekend along with our youngest son, we spent a somber moment in Shanksville, PA reflecting on 911 and Flight 93. Then we went to blow off steam with the 4014 Big Boy Steam Locomotive that has been traveling across the USA. We coupled this with some Pittsburgh PA Buc Fun. Then we wrapped it all up with a tour of a house called Falling Waters and then? Before getting the green to go back home – more George Washington at Fort Necessity.

Sometimes you just need a water stop.
Sometimes you just need to blow off steam.
Sometimes you need to take the time for a blowdown.
Other times you need a little longer for coaling the tender.
If you are taking a longer break, then you are dropin the fire.

I would summarize my funventures this past two weeks as closer to taking on water on the fly with a couple of holding the mains and a couple of station stops. I got a fill up while I was still moving. I also stopped and paused and cleared my mind. And honestly? I really needed it. In some ways, I did not realize how much I needed a break. I was doing the things I normally do. God, wife, family, work etc. However, there was a disconnect. I needed to take a rest and renew.

THIS!

In His wisdom, Jesus also took time to rest and replenish.

Mark 6:31 NIV

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 1:35 NIV

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

THIS! – This is where we really find REST.

Mathew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Jesus Himself modeled the wisdom of pausing without abandoning His mission. After intense periods of ministry, He often withdrew to quiet places to pray and be renewed. Do you know why Jesus went across the lake? Yes, ofcourse he calmed the storm. Don’t forget he fell asleep before that happened! Taking water on the fly, blowing off steam, taking time to rest, reflect, enjoy family, and remember significant moments is necessary and wise. Like Jesus, brief retreats, short rests and intentionally taking some time away from daily demands is a way of refilling the tender so that the journey can continue with renewed purpose and strength.

FULL STEAM AHEAD!