I have to admit; when it comes to resting I'm pretty lousy at it. It seems as though there's much more to do than I have the time and energy for, causing me to feel perpetually behind. I know that my value is not in what I do, yet because the opposite message was ingrained in me from a very early age I continue to struggle to get that truth from my head into my heart.
Just two weeks ago I had surgery, and since it was outpatient I cleared my schedule for a week to give myself time to recover. So far, so good. But then I found myself getting frustrated because I was getting absolutely nothing done. I felt surrounded by so many things screaming for my attention and there I was, sleeping about 20 hours a day. Hello! I was recovering from surgery!
A week after my surgery I was able to drive - but still not much else - so I decided to join a group of friends who had rented a cottage for the week. Though only for the weekend, it was a tremendous help for me to get away from those things I felt I "should" be doing!
A week after my surgery I was able to drive - but still not much else - so I decided to join a group of friends who had rented a cottage for the week. Though only for the weekend, it was a tremendous help for me to get away from those things I felt I "should" be doing!
I relaxed in a lounge chair in the sun for the FIRST time of the summer - it was the end of August! - read a novel for the first time in I don't know how long,
and enjoyed the view from the hammock as a cool breeze made the hot day bearable.
My getaway is a perfect fit with the next verse in She Sparkles A to Z Scripture Memory Challenge. (You can find the verses we've learned so far at the end of the post here.)
R - Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ~ Exodus 20:8
God gave us the Sabbath as a day of rest; a day to spend with Him, worshipping Him and remembering all He has done for us. God set the example by resting on the seventh day of creation. He didn't need rest, but He set the example because He knew we need it.
The word that really jumped out to me from this verse was "by." We remember by doing. I used to be under the impression that rest came after work. Once all your work is completed, then you rest. That sounds right, doesn't it? But as a wife, mom and grandma I find my work is never done.
I went to a Bible study, Living Balanced in an Unbalanced World, this summer, taught by my friend Cindy Bultema, and she said something that has been transformational for me. "Rest is not the reward for finishing everything, but the break you take in the middle of your work." Resting doesn't mean you're done; it means you're not done. That's why you need rest!
Even though we had to be out of the cottage by 11:00 a.m., we had a refreshing time of remembering the Sabbath. First we prepared our hearts for worship by listening to the soothing tones of the dulcimer...
R - Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ~ Exodus 20:8
God gave us the Sabbath as a day of rest; a day to spend with Him, worshipping Him and remembering all He has done for us. God set the example by resting on the seventh day of creation. He didn't need rest, but He set the example because He knew we need it.
The word that really jumped out to me from this verse was "by." We remember by doing. I used to be under the impression that rest came after work. Once all your work is completed, then you rest. That sounds right, doesn't it? But as a wife, mom and grandma I find my work is never done.
I went to a Bible study, Living Balanced in an Unbalanced World, this summer, taught by my friend Cindy Bultema, and she said something that has been transformational for me. "Rest is not the reward for finishing everything, but the break you take in the middle of your work." Resting doesn't mean you're done; it means you're not done. That's why you need rest!
Even though we had to be out of the cottage by 11:00 a.m., we had a refreshing time of remembering the Sabbath. First we prepared our hearts for worship by listening to the soothing tones of the dulcimer...
then I was able to share a lesson, prepared this summer before my trip to Kenya, with our outdoor "congregation."
Father, I thank you for this time of rest and recovery. Help me to be faithful in keeping the Sabbath and find this peaceful rest regardless of my surroundings.
Lisa
Linking up with "Thought Provoking Thursdays", "Grace Cafe", "Weekend Whatever", "Womanhood with Purpose"
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Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. -Ovid
Important word for me today! Thanks.
I wonder when we confused the word rest with lazy! I'm glad you found that rest is a positive doing word rather than the the negative not doing word!