Renewal

When the rigors of work overwhelm me,
   When the day-to-day strain is too much;
I need a safe place I can go to,
   I need a safe harbor for rest.

I never thought much of respites,
   I was above needing them
Until I got sick ... then I worried
   My life would be over too soon.

Now I take time when I need it -
   Though sometimes it isn't enough -
To rest for a day or for a whole week.
   There are times when I need to escape.

I've found the safe harbor I turn to
   When work overwhelms my whole life.
It's an island that's blessed with such beauty
   Only God could have made it that way.

The house stands on top of a mountain,
   The view leaves me speechless each time.
The beach at its base is the best in the world;
   To me, this is God's paradise.

Each evening the sky is a sketchbook
   Of stars I am sure I can touch.
When I stand at the window and stare up above
   I'm amazed I've been given so much.

I was changed at the end of the first week;
   The island's now part of my life.
It pulls me back whenever I'm worn;
   I cannot resist its strong tug.

On this island of much matchless beauty
   I can rest without cares or concerns.
Within a short time my strength is renewed;
   I'm ready to go back to work.

Yet ... I know the next time I'm tired,
   Overwhelmed with the day-to-day strain,
I will go to the mountain where the view is superb.
   The island is beckoning me.

But when I can't get to the island,
   In the greater part of the year,
I still need to carve-out a piece of each day
   For renewal, reflection and rest.

On normal days it's a struggle
   To find ten minutes to think
About what I must do and where I must go;
   Life is a nonstop event.

But I need to resist the temptation
   To let outside influence control;
My life is my own to direct and to guide;
   Inner strength will move me ahead.

If I don't give myself time to ponder
   About life and the people I love,
I won't have the strength that I need for each day,
   I won't have the wisdom to lead.

I have felt the strength of renewal,
   I know its incredible force;
The need is to make time where it doesn't exist,
   To develop learned habits of choice.