It’s dark when we walk out the door, wave goodbye to H still in his pajamas. The thud-thud-thud of the wheels on her suitcases over cracks in the concrete break the morning stillness. Street lamps illuminate a mosaic of wet leaves, empty bottles and dog messes; traces of what we missed while sleeping.

Dew settles over grass in the park, the air thick with fresh mercy. My daughter is flying back to the US after being with us in London for nearly a month. The world, my world, they have changed dramatically since giving birth.

Be still and know that I am God is a timeless truth. And Sabbath is essential for my well-being.

As we walk in silence toward the Underground, stillness of the city and dew revitalizing dry earth create an atmosphere of asylum for weary hearts. A reminder that my soul is refreshed most when sitting quietly in his presence listening.

With suitcases parked beside kneecaps, we settle on an empty train, filling slowly at each stop. And the sway on the tracks woos many who are bleary-eyed back to sound sleep, heads hanging over laps.

While today’s headlines pull at heartstrings over Aylan’s limp body lying on a beach in Turkey, may we remember the words of Ann Voskamp, “Peace is a Person, not a place.”

As you consider your home, relationships, neighborhood, and church and refugees seeking asylum, may you commute inward as well as outward toward Peace.

In Sabbath, we push back darkness by resting in timeless truth. Jesus is the Light of the World no matter how things look.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Psalm 46: 10, MSG

For more pondering on your weekend, read this recent letter to Aylan written by Ann Voskamp.

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