Today is day 29 of the Write 31 Days challenge. I'm joining the challenge and writing on rest & replenishment. To see the complete series, visit 31 Days of Rest & Replenishment.
One thing that has been a pleasant surprise to me this month as I consider rest is how often it comes down to receiving. At the beginning of this month I had planned to share things like ways to create a restful environment, or how to fight for rest and make blank space in your calendar for it. These are all things that are important and take effort at times. But at the beginning of this month I hadn't anticipated just how exhausting the change in my husband's schedule would be for all of us and I quickly found myself in survival mode. So as the month comes to a close and I reflect on the past 29 days I can see time and time again that rest comes when I simply allow it to. As a mom of young children I know for sure that sleep is not merely a matter of accepting an invitation. But what is available is an attitude of rest. I can let my heart and mind rest in the fact that while I'm in survival mode God is not. I can accept my limitations. I can rest in the fact that He is in control. He provides. He cares. He is the good shepherd that leads His sheep...besides still waters...to green pastures.
Tonight I'll leave you with a few "invitations," if you will, from God's word...
Tonight I'll leave you with a few "invitations," if you will, from God's word...
Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good;
And delight yourself in abundance.
(Is. 55:1-2a NIV; v. 2b NASB)
"Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6&7 (NIV)