Rest Stop

Ahhh, thank goodness for those welcome blue signs along the interstate: "Rest Area." Sometimes, after a long drive, you just need to rest w/a capital R. As in REAL sore Rear from Ridin' Real Far.

You wouldn't think sitting on your afforementioned backside would cause that much discomfort, but last weekend my left cheek was giving me fits and I don't mean the cheek up by my nose. Rest was required - as in stop the car right now, get out and perambulate a bit. Out in the middle of a sunny South Dakota prairie the American Creek recreation Area rest stop near Oacoma and Chamberlin provides the perfect place for such perambulation, especially on an especially fine early spring March day.

It wasn't so fine back in September of 1804 when Meriweather Lewis and Willam Clark (remember them, of Lewis & Clark expedition & exploration fame?) stopped in the same place. Their gear soaked, bodies and spirits bedraggled, they decided they and their crew had just about had it. Though they didn't have the benefit of the blue signs to guide them, they found this Missouri River pit stop the perfect refuge for resting up, refueling on buffalo meat, wild plums and acorns (mmm, my,

don't they sound scrumptious?). Refreshed, renewed and all dried out, they packed up after a spell and continued their way west. This oasis was apparently so appealing that they scheduled a return visit on their trek back home after proving that, indeed, Thomas Jefferson had not wasted the new country's money after all in a "foolish" land purchase (assuming that one appreciated rushing rivers, majestic mountains and wondrous wildlife!).

We didn't kill any wild buffalo at the rest stop (forgot my shootin' iron at home). Mcdonald's apple slices had to substitute for the wild plums. We had some mixed nuts, but the Wal-Mart brand sadly includes no acorns (actually wasn't aware humans could eat them; in my 21st century world they are solely and happily reserved for neighborhood squirrels). We did get "dried out," so to speak, courtesy of the clean South Dakota restrooms; we stretched our legs (and those of the derierre) on a pleasant stroll out to the the concrete teepee overlooking the river (don't knock concreete teepees 'til you see 'em - they're kind of sturdy, out west looking cool). We took our rest and were soon ready to resume our own journey west.

Jesus knew about our need for rest and renewal. Even He needed it from time to time. Mark 6:31 says, "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Jesus, Himself, is our rest. Matthew 11:28 & 29: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." He provides this rest day by day, hour by hour and minute by minute. It is free. It is always available. And no blue signs required.