Nancy Holte

Encouraging women to grab hold of God's plan for their lives

Step Off the Crazy Train

We live in a fast-paced society. Many of us complain about that fact but the truth is none of us do too much to stop the craziness, probably because we are too tired to try. Sometimes I find myself so busy that I don’t even recognize how it’s affecting me until I finally slow down. That’s what happened to me last week. I went to my friend’s cabin for a few days and I was amazed at how good it felt to just rest.

For the past seventeen years a group of women I used to work with have gotten together in Cumberland, Wisconsin to talk, laugh, play games, do crafts (with varying levels of success) enjoy the water, eat (more than we should), and rest. Though I haven’t been able to go every year I’m always so glad when I do. It’s so relaxing that I find myself wondering why I don’t do something like this more often. “Maybe,” I thought this year as I gazed at the lake, “God doesn’t really intend for me to race around all the time like a mouse in a maze. Maybe I need to take a step off the crazy train a little more often. After all, even He rested after creating the world.”

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:2 

Are you in need of some rest today? Take a few minutes to gaze at the lake with me and make some plans to find your own restful spot.

The View from the cabin.
The View from the cabin.
The clouds, the ripples in the water, the reflections, the quiet; it all makes me utter a relaxed "Ahhh . . . "
The clouds, the ripples in the water, the reflections, the quiet; it all makes me utter a relaxed “Ahhh . . . “
Beauty everywhere I turned.
Beauty everywhere I turned.
Kayaking into the channel between Big Dummy Lake and Little Dummy Lake. Yes, it's true, those are the names of the lakes.
Kayaking into the channel between Big Dummy Lake and Little Dummy Lake. Yes, those are the real names of the lakes!
Cattails in the Chanel.
Cattails in the Chanel.
This was my first year kayaking on my own. On a still lake it's like gliding over a cloud. Granted the first night it may have appeared there was a drunken kayaker on the lake but I pulled it together on our second venture out.
This was my first year kayaking on my own. On a still lake it’s like gliding over a cloud. Granted the first night it may have appeared there was a drunken kayaker on the lake but I pulled it together on our second venture out.
A beautiful ending to a restful day.
A beautiful ending to a restful day.

I feel the need to interject here that there is a big difference between resting and being lazy; resting restores your soul, laziness leaves you feeling useless and without hope. God asks us to rest in Him and promises to carry our heavy loads. All we have to do is turn them over to Him.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Trust me, if you have been riding the crazy train for a little too long, or if you’re just worn out from the daily concerns of life, you need to take a little time and get away – even if just for a few hours to restore your soul. God will meet you there.

“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jeremiah 31:25

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  2. Nancy, I agree completely. Just got back from a week in Cumberland on Beaver Dam Lake. There is so much peace in those views of the sunset, water and nature. Loved it!