But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea. —Mark 3:7 NKJV

Since I cannot physically whisk you away to one of my favorite places for a quiet time, I’m going to do so with words. The drive is not too far, just far enough to feel like you’ve escaped. So sit back, relax, and receive some much-needed rest.

Off the main drag, the backroads wind and curve. They traverse hills, run alongside streams, and cut through lupine fields and evergreen forests. The canopied bends in the road often open up to stunning overlooks and pristine lakes. They pass through small New England towns that take us back to another time, another era when life was slower and simpler.

Old, rambling farmhouses dot the landscape. Horses and cattle graze in the fields, and the family dog lies in the front yard. Freshly hung laundry blows in the gentle breeze while farmers’ produce is sold at roadside stands. The sweet smell of hay fills the air.

Now, we pass through a village where friendships are forged inside old country stores while rocking chairs are occupied on the porch outside. A white-steepled church with its stained-glass windows sits in the quaint town square, giving a warm welcome. Beautiful old federal-style homes, shaded by tall oak and maple trees, line quiet streets.

Then, down the road, around a bend, and just up ahead, there it is! Framed between the fir trees, like a living, hanging picture, sits the beautiful Franconia Inn with white clapboard-style siding and dark green shutters. It is flanked by Sugar Hill, and behind, we see majestic Mount Lafayette and Cannon Mountain.

A choice of porches, fireplaces, or quiet rooms provides guests with space to recharge. The dining room and the breakfast nook both afford stunning views of the mountains, perfect for enjoying a wonderful meal or a simple cup of coffee and quiet conversation. We check in for the night.

There’s just something soothing about waking up to the smell of bacon cooking and coffee brewing downstairs, a morning walk along a quiet, rambling brook while horses graze in the pasture and deer wander at the woods’ edge. Maybe we watch the fog roll off the mountain or a storm blowing in down through the notch. The vibrant colors from the setting sun take one’s breath away. The day winds down with another good cup of coffee, soft background music, and the warmth of a crackling fire. We’re home away from home.

To say that Jesus and His disciples’ days were stressful is an understatement. Their days, filled with people, stretched from early mornings to well into the late nights. Yet, Jesus often went away for quiet times alone with the Father and sometimes took His disciples with Him. On the escape mentioned in our verse above, the only place they could get away from it all was to hop onto a fishing boat—but even then! Multitudes followed.

Do you older mamas remember the days when your only quiet spot was—the bathroom!? And we all know just how long that quiet lasted! In short order, sweet little voices rang just outside the door. Even furry little paws reached under the door, demanding our attention. You younger mamas, hang in there. Rest will come.

We can’t always get away to places like the inn for refreshment. More often, it’s time alone at our kitchen table with a cup of tea and our Bible. It might be a walk in the woods or a quick visit to a beach or lake.

Sometimes, the needs of life are so weighty and relentless that the only possible alone time with God is found in a quickly breathed prayer and a brief glance at a memory verse card taped to a mirror. In those seasons, God runs to us and washes us with reminders of His promises. Knowing His presence in the everyday can be just as refreshing as a weekend getaway in the mountains, if not more.

No matter what stage of life we are in, busyness and distractions pull us. Whether it’s little ones tugging at our legs, elderly family members needing end-of-life care, or our own limitations brought on by age or illness, we can grow weary and discouraged, and we need quiet. We need rest for our souls and refreshment for our spirits.

It has been such a lovely and relaxing visit at the inn with you. As we head back home, let me encourage you with one more thought. Each person’s quiet time and place may look different from the next. It would be easy to feel guilty that they do not look like what we expect them to be or what others tell us they should be. They are God’s hand-crafted gifts. If we stop and look for and accept them, He will meet each of our specific needs right where we are.

Father, thank You for Your promise that when we draw near to You, You will draw near to us. Without Your drawing me to begin with, I could never draw near to You. Thank You for all those special meeting places where You continue to come and meet with me. I love You, Lord!

In Him,
Donna Perkins

Sweet Selah Ministries 

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet

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