This year marked out tenth anniversary of going to Groton Long Point, near Mystic, Connecticut. There, at a quaint cottage called “A House by the Sea,” provided so thoughtfully and generously by a friend in Chattanooga, we have found the quietness and beauty of God’s creation to give us physical and spiritual well-being to follow the call. We have also experienced the tranquil moments of rest, reflection and renewal that are so priceless to family life, especially in the ministry.
I hope you have a house by the sea, whatever or wherever that may be. There is great Biblical warrant for such a time. To steal away for quietness in life is not extravagant, despite my suspicions of an ever-increasing ethos of “being productive” in the ministry. So we read:
“And he [Jesus] said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” (Mark 6:31 ESV)
And so we have come away to a far away place to rest for a while. So must you.
To mark the tenth anniversary of our time there, I composed a song, the simple lyrics of which I record here.
Mornings in Mystic
The tide’s coming in
The things that we’ve seen
We will now see again
For ten years
We’ve been pilgrims
To rest and to be
Together in Mystic
at the House by the Sea
“Mornings in Mystic” © 2011 Michael Milton, BMI
Prayer:
Father, grant that we all may find renewal in life and ministry by following you to a place of quiet prayer.
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- Grace in the Trenches (thirdmill.org)
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- David as Shepherd – Psalm 23, A Message Delivered at the Annual ARP Family Conference (michaelmilton.org)
