Every year in early spring over 500,000 cranes come to a small area of land along the Platte River in Nebraska. This northward migration has been an annual occurrence for countless years. The cranes are on their way to Canada, Alaska and the Siberian Artic. They have flown hundreds of miles with many more to go. They arrive weary, thin and hungry. For these birds, the Platte River is the perfect place to rest, refuel and re-energize before the next part of their journey. In this place they find abundant food and a quiet place of shelter. For about six weeks, the cranes stay close together while they feed and rest. Then suddenly, as if on cue, they rise with new energy and take flight to complete their journey.
Just like the cranes, we too need a place to stop, rest and re-energize. Some of us have been on a long difficult road and the journey has been overwhelming. Some of us may have been on an easier road, but it has been tiring and demanding just the same. Many times we are so driven that we fail to see the need to stop or even slow down. Continual activity becomes the norm and we might even feel guilty if we think about taking a break. No matter what road we have travelled, there comes a time when we must find a place of rest…a place of renewal…a place to re-group and regain the strength needed to carry on the next leg of the our journey. When we find that place and take the time to stop, soon we will find that we are able to rise and take flight with new strength and energy. Jesus said:
“Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Mark 6:31
Jan -
Thanks for your kind words on my “seed of a dream” entry onmy blog. I enjoy your blog - it’s very encouraging. You’re meeting the mission of your title!
I’m a crane right now in the resting place. If I had not said, “I need to stop, I need to rest” some of the seeds of dreams I have now would have had no room to be planted. They might not have even been recognized. God is so good, he has given me this quiet place to get some rest, and in the resting time has shown me things I was missing.
Dixie