Tag: rest

Posted on in 2013 Posts

Unplugged

unplugged
Image courtesy of Chris Sharp at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Last week, Jim and I were blessed to be able to go to Gatlinburg for several days because of the generosity of some wonderful people.  I know times have been difficult lately and I was definitely tired when we left.  However, I didn’t know how much I needed to get away until I got away!

Even though we were on vacation, I always make sure I take my laptop and current real estate files just in case I need to take care of some business while I am gone.  Sure enough, the day we were driving down, I got an email telling me that I needed to respond regarding a deal I have in the works.  I knew it would be later in the day when we arrived so I planned to get to the cabin, turn on my computer and work immediately on the request.  So after we settled in, I set up my computer only to find that the internet was down!

We called the cable company and they told us they were working on our problem and it should be fixed soon.  So we waited.  The TV finally worked, but even the next morning, no internet.  We called them again and they said it was still out and they would let us know when it was fixed.  Since we couldn’t change anything about our situation, we went ahead, got breakfast and started planning our first day of vacation.  Later that afternoon, it was still not working.  It was now Friday afternoon before the holiday weekend so I wasn’t too worried at that point.  I would get it done before they  got back to work on Tuesday.

As time went on, and each day passed, we still did not have any service.  I found that as each day passed, I really didn’t miss it all that much.  It was really quite enjoyable to sit on the porch and listen to the birds, read a little here and there, and just spend time talking with Jim.  It occurred to me that if I had the internet all weekend, I would’ve been working because that’s what I do.

I thought about that for a while and realized that I think God had another plan for me.  In order for me to be able to get the rest and relaxation I needed, He literally had to unplug my world.  Otherwise, I may never have stopped to enjoy the peace He had provided for us during our retreat in an area of the country I call heaven.

Is there something that you need to unplug in your life so that you can hear God or find peace in your life?  Do you work too much like I do?  Is your life full of to-do lists and other activities that distract you on a daily basis?  Maybe you have something else that God is speaking to you about as you read along.  Although my report had to wait until Tuesday night when we returned home, it was all OK.  It got it done in plenty of time. The fact was, I needed the rest and God knew best.

I’m thankful that I serve a God that cares about me.  He takes care of all of my needs even when I don’t realize what they are myself!  We simply just need to unplug long enough from the worldly distractions around us in order to connect with God and all that He has to offer us.  I am sure we often miss out on blessings because we aren’t plugged into the right source!

I hope you can find God’s blessings amidst the chaos of life this week!  Have a great week and don’t forget to get out there and be a blessing!

Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)  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.

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Posted on in 2013 Posts

Come to Me All Who are Weary… I Will Give You Rest…

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This weekend was full of family and fun.  I got to see most of my grandkids and spend time with each one.  Although I am worn out now, it was worth it.  It’s fun to see how the kids are changing, how they interact with one another and what new trick the younger ones may have learned this past week.

Several times during the weekend, one crawled up into my lap to take a break from the action.  We read a book or just snuggled even if it were just a second and they were off again.  There’s something special and fulfilling when a tired baby comes to you to find rest.  I love that.

I know that God looks at me as His daughter and He, too, probably loves it when I stop and ask Him to just hold me a little while so that I can re-group and re-energize.  Did you ever think about Him that way?  It’s so important to allow time to heal, rest and strengthen ourselves when we are in the heat of battle…physically, mentally, and/or spiritually.

I am also very aware that when your body becomes physically weary, it affects your mental and spiritual self as well.  So if we don’t take the time for our physical selves to heal, we open ourselves to attack from the enemy…Satan, himself.  He loves it when we are tired and isolated because we are too weary to invite friends over or do the social things we used to do.  He uses that time of isolation to fill our minds with doubt of ever feeling healthy again.  He knows that we are at a point of vulnerability when one aspect of our being is tired.  He has a field-day when he can catch us with two or even three areas of our lives out of whack.

That is why it is important to take the time every day, whether we feel like it or not, and crawl into the lap of our Lord and Savior so to speak.  Let Him hold you, fill you, rock you, and speak His words of encouragement and healing into your life.  Don’t allow Satan to have one second of your time, as he is a liar.  He may try to wear you down, but stand strong.  God is bigger than anything Satan can throw your way.  He is Faithful.  He is Just. He is Gentle.  He is there for us when we are burdened and never lets us down.  His arms are open wide.  He longs for us to stop and rest in them.  He wants us to feel the comfort and peace that only He can give us during trying times.  He wants to show us how He can make our weariness turn into praise for an all-powerful God.

Are you tired and weary from battle?  Stop.  Visualize yourself climbing into the arms of our Heavenly Father and allow Him to comfort you.  You don’t even have to speak.  Just lie there in His arms of love and comfort.  Breathe in His healing.  Imagine His protective arms around you where nothing can ever get through.  Listen to the steadiness of His heartbeat…never faltering—always present.  Feel the warmth of His love permeating your being.  He loves you and will be there for you.  He longs to comfort you.  Just stop.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) “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.”