A Place of Quiet Rest
In a post last week, I told you about Ray’s and my 47th anniversary. Now that I can share photos again, I want to take you along on the trip we took to celebrate. For many years, two dear friends have been telling us about their annual trips to the Buckhorn Inn in the Smoky Mountains. Our friendship is longstanding. The husband was in our wedding, and Ray was in theirs. This year Ray and I decided to go to the Buckhorn Inn overnight for our anniversary.
We enjoyed looking around the Inn, built in 1938, . . .
. . . but never regretted that we had made our reservations to stay in the Buckhorn’s Cottage 2, also built in 1938. We felt as if we were in an old black and white movie.
The living room had pretty corner cabinets . . .
. . . on both sides of the large picture window.
From the window we could see a beautiful view of Mount LeConte.
I loved the details of the cottage’s architecture and decor.
We took a walk in the late afternoon and saw these beautiful swans on the Buckhorn’s pond.
During His ministry, Jesus sent the twelve apostles on a mission. When they returned, Jesus told them:
“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place
and rest a little while.”
(For there were many people coming and going,
and they did not even have time to eat.)
And they went away in the boat
to a secluded place by themselves.
Mark 6:31b-32
Ray and I well remember the times that we couldn’t afford a getaway like the one we had last week. I know those times make us even more grateful for this trip. Whether we enjoy an overnight in the mountains or a quiet cup of tea in the early morning, rest is one of God’s great gifts to us. Ray and I are very grateful for this gift of spending time in His beautiful creation.
I love the beautiful hymn, “Near to the Heart of God,” written by Cleland Boyd McAfee in 1903.
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
Praise Jesus for His wonderful invitation:
“Come to Me,
all who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
