The Rest of our Lives

It's been five weeks since our kids left for the States, and our sabbatical of rest, reflection and renewal began here in Croatia.

How can I even put into words what these weeks have meant to us?

It has been the most meaningful of gifts to be quiet, soak in God's creation, be alone with each other, read, think, pray, journal, sleep, exercise, dream, listen, and be met by the Lord.

Even in rest, one of the things that continues to be foremost in our hearts and minds is the desire to be fruitful and make our lives count for the Kingdom.

While visiting the island of Korcula, we walked through these vineyards...one after another. They stretched nearly as far as your eye could see.

And the fruit!! It heavily clung to the vines, and seriously made you want to pick it (we resisted!).

"If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit."

Dave and I want to be fruitful...as far as the eye can see. We want our lives to count for the Lord as we remain in Him, and He in us.

Being away like this gives us an opportunity to once again align ourselves with Him, to be in tune with His heart and His plans.

And be reminded of His calling on our lives.

We've got one more week here in Croatia to listen to His voice and be met by Him. We continue to say, "Speak Lord, for we are listening!"

Next Friday we will begin our journey back to Czech where we'll be at home for a few days before heading to the States, and on to the next section of our sabbatical/home assignment.

While we've already been met deeply by the Lord during this time here, we're sure not done listening to Him. 

We know He still has a lot more to say to us. And our hearts are open and eager to hear Him.

Not just today or this week. But for the rest of our lives.