big sur

in my life, i’ve been blessed to see some incredible places. some of them on the other side of the world, & rather difficult to get to. thankfully, my favorite place, it’s own little world in itself, is only 2 hours from home.

the stretch of coast along big sur, has a beauty that brings about a sense of reverence, that i have yet to experience anywhere else. i think it’s the way the mountains meet the vast, open expanse of the pacific. simply being in the presence of something so great, continues to bring about a self-forgetfulness that brings me so much joy.

“the freedom of self-forgetfulness. the blessed rest that only self-forgetfulness brings.”

timothy keller

when friends ask what’s so great about it, i laugh because no words could do it justice & i usually just end up inviting them to come along & experience it themselves.

i’ve spent a week out of each summer here, 19 years in a row, with last minute weekend trips in between. each day spent here feels as though i’m getting a glimpse into eternity.

it’s early morning wave checks under a blanket of fog, being the first one to paddle out alone in the bay & turning around to look back at the mountains, midday swims without a wetsuit that make you feel more alive than ever, jumping of rocks, telling stories around the fire, playing music, surfing for hours, sunburnt lips, & group sunset walks, while some stay to wait for the stars to show up.

in a world where we so often attach our worth to our level of productivity, intentionally setting apart a week each year to simply enjoy creation with the people in my life has been life-giving.

already planning the next time i can go back :)

‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.’

ecclesiastes 3:11