Finding rest

Yesterday I didn’t go to church.

That’s unusual for me on a Sunday. Due to bad weather, we had three services cancelled–Sunday school, morning worship and evening service. So a day that is typically very busy for me became a day of rest. My husband and I had some quiet time, we watched television (another unusual activity for me) and I had some extra writing time.

I rested.

I’m sure that we all know how important it is to rest, but if you’re like me life is very busy. This seems to happen at every stage of life. As a young mother, working full time, I remember going to bed exhausted every night only to arise very early the next day to get everyone ready for another long day. On week-ends, a nap was a rare blessing. After my children were older, I advanced in my career and my reward was longer hours in the office and less hours of sleep. Now, toward the waning of my career, I still seem to be working long hours (although it’s harder to see what I’m actually accomplishing).

Why is rest so important?

Adequate sleep is essential to grant daily rest and rejuvenation for our bodies, both physically and mentally. But, we also need rest in our awake time! We need quiet time with our Lord, with our family and loved ones and  we need solitude time (although when we have little ones, quiet time is VERY hard to find). This quiet time of rest is healing for our mind, body and spirit.

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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Are you burdened? Where do you find your rest?

I confess, I didn’t always seek rest in my Lord, Jesus. I thought I had to be in control–to solve my problems and those of my family as well. I felt compelled to be Super-Mom, Super-Teacher and Super-Wife. Obviously without trusting in God, I was a miserable failure at being this Super-Woman. I was exhausted, grumpy and struggled to maintain a healthy balance in my life.

For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Hebrews 4:10

But, God didn’t give up on me. When I began to spend time with Him in daily devotion and Bible study, He led me to the recognition that I’m not in control (and shouldn’t try to be). That doesn’t mean I don’t have responsibilities–I do! But, as I submitted my efforts of control of my tiny universe, God showed me the path toward peace. I don’t deny that I’ve tripped and stumbled along the way, but our Lord is faithful and trustworthy. He will pick us up again and again when we fall.

If you are stuggling on your journey to find rest, please let me know if I can pray for you.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

Wishing you a blessed week, my friends, and refreshing rest beside quiet waters.