We are squeezing in a short vacation and soaking up the last bit of summer at my favorite place, an  OMF holiday home in Sendai, about a 4 hour drive north. Somehow when we arrive and breath in the  salt breeze and gaze at the glistening sea, we feel a million miles away from the busy city, the ministry tasks, full e-mail in-boxes and people and problems. 

Coming here for a few days a couple times a year has been a huge blessing and I think has helped me stay the long haul. We purposely disengage from work. We read books, have extra-long devotions, do wood-working or quilting, play games and watch movies. We trek around in the woods or walk along the sand. The pace is slow and each afternoon a nap beckons. We aren't productive and we disengage and unwind. 

We have time to think and pray. To be quiet and just sit and soak up the scenery. To gain perspective, get recuperated and be rejuvenated. We are thankful for these sea cabin days that God uses to renew us along the way.