Well...It's the day after Easter and what a glorious day it was for me. It was a truly beautiful day at church, but more importantly in my heart and in my mind, as I took it all in. I felt the emotional surge beginning on Friday and thought my heart would explode! Thankfully, I kept it all together, but my heart was really FULL during Easter worship. :)
This weeks weather is supposed to be warm and nice in West TN and therefore the Spring bug is about to bite me.....BIG TIME!!! I want to go buy plants, flowers, and get things ready for the bursting forth of some Spring time beauty!
As much as I want to do these things, I have to hold myself back and "wait just a little while longer." I'm always the person that jumps the gun and in 2 days it will snow, one more time, and everything will die. :)
But, one part of Spring, for me, is thinking ahead to Summer and enjoying the rest that Summer brings for me as a mom. I'm always happy to ditch school....I think we work pretty hard during the school year too!!! So....Summer for me is much needed rest, relaxation, and some serious family time. I even cut back on my hours at church. It really is a good thing for me. I sit here and grin just thinking about it!!
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I absolutely adore this translation of the infamous Matthew 11:28-30. Because, by the end of the school year and really even this time of year....I'm getting burned out, worn out, and tired of a lot of things.
I'm ready for some REST!! And, the funny thing is, I just got back from a week of rest at the beach! HA!
But, you know what I mean. Rest does the body, mind, and soul some good. Its necessary. God commands us to rest.
I hope as you begin to move toward Spring, Summer, the end of a school year, the beginning of something new, the beginning of a new relationship with Jesus, or the end of something that drained you more than fed you.....that you will take some time for some rest. And...I mean intentional rest.
I plan on being more mindful of the fact that all parts of me need some rest. I need to take more time to rest, enjoy the simple things of life, and slow down for some sweet time with Jesus.
I can't do a whole of good for Him if I am too busy to even be with Him. I need to rest in Him. I need to rest with Him. I need Him to tend to me a whole lot more than I do.
Don't just have "snippets with God" but have some good, solid time with Him.
Find you some rest in Jesus. He's the best caretaker I know of!
Blessings y'all~
Monday, March 24, 2008
How do you feel about resting??
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
20 comments:
Seems like us are learning the exact same things from the Lord. Resting is hard to do at times when you have to keep up with school and other activities of life. But, there comes a stillness in your heart and soul that the Lord longs for us to have from His presence comes rest...Great post!
Fran, I am laughing my head off at you right now!!!! I cant believe you stalked my look alike! That is SOOOOOOO something I would do. I wish we had been in Gulf Shores last week - wouldnt that have been fun? We go to Destin occasionally.
Not exactly sure where you live, but next time I am in Nashville, we should get together! I mean next time I am there and you arent in Alabama on the beach!
You are tooo funny! I just love this blogging thing!
Was the woman you were stalking young and thin like me? hahahahahhaha
Amen, I really agree with you sweetie. Resting in Jesus is awesome. I love you my friend.
Absolutely! Jesus is the best!!
Have some good rest sitting at his feet!
Blessings in Christ--
I have to admit I need some down time, I just can't see through the tunnel to know when that is going to happen! I really want a date with my hubby, and boy would I love to be somewhere warm!!!!!
I have been on a journey discovering this in the past year. I am still in the process, but I am finding rest. And that is a good thing!
you are talking my language when it comes to planting. i just can't wait to get my hands in the dirt and see color. we are still about a month away. i just said to my hysband i don't know why we live here i need a longer summer season. this winter has taken it's toll like no other. i need me some sun with heat. :) an ocean breeze would be nice too. glad you are back. love ya. ~janel
I am all about resting. Since moving 4 1/2 months ago God has had me in a resting place with Him. It felt weird at 1st, not preparing a Sunday school lesson, not teaching or counseling but I have enjoyed my time off. I believe that is fixing to change. As we came home from church yesterday I saw a woman planting tulips and all sorts of flowers. I am wanting to plant flowers and I need to mow the yard but I am waiting. I am so ready for Summer.
I am so glad you had a great trip to the beach!!
I have been watching March Madness and I have to tell you I may need some rest from my VOLS. This barely winning stuff is killing me. LOL!!
Love Ya,
Patty
I'm behind on blogging and I'm glad to be caught up with you! What a great post!!!
And I love your pictures from the beach. Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is like my second home. Our family has gone every summer since I was 5 and it's the best! I miss it so much! I don't get to go this year...I have a wedding and honeymoon to tend to! :) But next year, the Lord willing, I am there! The beach is the best place on earth!
I feel ya, sweet sister! Thank you for this encouraging word. Glad y'all had a fabulous time at the beach! I'll be emailing you soon!
Love ya!
Linds
Fran, DO Not, REPEAT DO NOT give in and buy your geraniums yet! It was 30 degrees and snowing here yesterday and its supposed to be 60 here today. My yard is white and the sun is shining and the sky is blue-----what is up with that? hehheheeheh
Oooh friend! I love me some Matthew 11:28!
Thanks for sharing this!
Jen
The Christian life as interpreted in the 20th-21st Centuries (I think) pushes us to keep forward momentum going. "If you're not moving forward spiritually, you're stagnating." "If you're not serving; you're not obeying," etc. I feel guilty when I rest. So this is a good post for me.
I LOVE the Message wording of that passage! It calms me so to read it.
I'm with you on the planting bug. BUT, we had a little snow here yesterday! I KNOW!!! It's crazy...today, 65 degrees, yesterday snow flurries....
Amen and amen to this post. I work with Special needs kids and we are suppose to be on Spring Break this week....however my boss is but we are still seeing some of the kids.
This has been such a long school year and I am tapped out!!! I'm so longing right now for some R & R....
Thank you soooo much for reminding me of these scriptures today!!
Find you some rest in Jesus. He's the best caretaker I know of!
amen! amen! amen!
I really need to rest in Him and i can feel God telling me STOP!!dewell with me but I keep saying I am too busty and ,i need to learn to rest at his feet b/c with out him i am nothing.marina
I am with you about the resting. I tell you I need a vacation after I go on vacation. I think my trip to the beach was nice but Cole was sick and was in the room with me so I did not get much sleep :(
I am looking forward to the Jacksnoville LPL this weekend however I am not sure it will be restful - hehe
Have a great day!
Kim
I Loved this post Fran. God gave us the command to honor the Sabbath for a reason. So often even Sundays after church we can be running around as a family. What a great reminder to not only rest, but to rest in Him!
LOVED IT!
Blessings, Joanne
Thanks for sharing. I've been resting for three days. I feel like I'm a new woman. Blessings.
Post a Comment