The two doves just flew in and landed in the tree above me, so the "cloud of witnesses" is gathering again...and God's Holy Spirit is present.
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| Note how the leaves are really starting to open up on this wild black cherry tree, and it is beginning to blossom. Soon I won't be able to see the birds in this tree at all...but I will have beautiful shade to sit under! God is so good. |
This morning we read in our devotional time from the book of Mark 6:30-34, and in these verses the disciples have just returned to Jesus after going on their first preaching tour (see Mark 6:7-13), and when they told Jesus all that they had done and what they had taught (vs. 30), He said to them in verse 31:
"Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place
and REST awhile."
As I read this it was as if the Lord was speaking to me directly..."Rest awhile..."
Now don't get me wrong, I haven't recently been out on any "preaching and teaching tour", but I did retire from a position in ministry as an administrator from a large church a little over a year ago.
And also, my hubby was a pastor for many years, and he retired from full time pastoral ministry several years ago. We still have our home Bible Study meeting in our home each week, with a very small congregation, so I guess one could say that we are still in the ministry.
And then there is the fact that for the past several years we have been co-caregivers for my mother-in-law every weekend, and just recently she has gone to live in a nursing home not far from us. So I guess for the first time in many years my hubby and I are finally beginning to realize that we can sit down and truly rest (retire), and not feel guilty about it. Yet, when we try to let ourselves dream about getting away for a little trip somewhere, we find ourselves still reluctant to actually make any plans. Part (a major part) of the reason is financial...we did not retire on a big retirement plan...rather on an extremely tight fixed income...so we know there will not be any long trips or cruises in our future.
Therefore, the kind of "rest" that Jesus is calling me to do is what I am doing right now....
coming before His Presence with a sense of awe and gratitude for the marvelous things He has done, and for His continued daily care for us in every way. He has blessed us with good health, sound minds (well...that could be debatable), a wonderful family, a strong home, and a beautiful secret garden in which to spend time in meditation, prayer, and praise!
This daily respite from the mundane routine of housework, cooking, running errands, etc., is like a refreshing balm, soothing my mind and soul with peaceful interludes of joy and grace. Enjoying these few moments each day is like a breath of fresh air...
Psalm 23:1-3 says:
"The Lord is my Shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of
righteousness for His name's sake."
Lord, I give You praise today, for just these few moments of REST. My soul is refreshed
and my heart and mind are restored to a sense of contentment in You alone. Whatever the future may hold...I know that Your
"Goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life...
And I will dwell in the
house of the Lord forever!"
(Psalm 23:6)
Amen
Some of the other ways hubby and I relax and rest is by taking little rides or walks in the area. We live in a national forest, so there is always something marvelous to see. This morning we were excited to see this flock of wild turkeys near the Salt Springs Marina:
Aren't they magnificent?
What are some ways that you find rest from your labors and stresses in life? We don't have to take long trips or pay lots of money for theme parks or other attractions to relax and enjoy life. Just take a look around where you live and discover some of the natural beauty that God has provided for your enjoyment free of charge! You may be surprised at what you will find!! Take some time and
"Come aside and rest!"
Pam,
ReplyDeleteYou're correct, rest is so important to the whole of our beings. Getting away without truly getting away is nice--creativity is a must. I'll have to give it some thought about where I can go nearby that won't cost money. Right now the weather is a bit too iffy. Perhaps, I simply need to think way outside the box and plan a getaway just in my own home in my imagination.
Blessings!
In house getaways can be a lot of fun too...maybe a weekend staying in your pj's, eating what you love best, watching old movies, or working on a puzzle or other craft/hobby, something you enjoy, or just reading a really good book...or invite a friend to stayover and have a mini retreat. Pray together, share from God's Word...have a tea party...I don't know what it's like where you live, but I know God has ways for you to just rest and relax and enjoy being in HIS Presence. I'm sure you'll come up with something. Let us know when you do!
DeleteThe turkey photos are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWe live quite close to a state park and often head that way for an hour or two of 'rest'. (easy on the budget ;)
Isn't it wonderful to have such natural beauty close by? And for those of us who love photography...that is always a joy!!!!
DeleteThe turkeys are magnificent indeed! Great photos! Rest. That's what I have been doing these past few days. Perhaps this cold I have is God's way of getting me to slow down a bit!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you had to have a cold to slow down...but hopefully it wasn't a bad one and you will soon be back to your peppy active self. I know you have a full slate of things to do in the next few weeks, so it is good that you've taken a little break to rest and prepare your mind for the big MOVE. Praying you through. Thank you for stopping in for a quick visit while you are resting!
DeleteI enjoyed your thoughts today, and those are beautiful turkey photos. Sometimes the Lord just drops an old hymn or Bible verse into my spirit, and that is a blessing, but there's nothing like getting quiet and spending a longer time in His Word and prayer and listening.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen...yes, I agree, an old hymn, chorus and a Bible verse can be like an oasis in the middle of the desert. I'm finding that I so look forward to my few moments in the oasis here each day that I feel cheated if I can't get out there soon enough to suit me. Patience is one of those virtues God is still working on in me. That's what this is all about. Learning to be patient and wait on the Lord as I listen to His voice. Thank you for being a part of this place. We are all in this garden together.
DeleteWe live in a really rural area and we enjoy taking rides to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us in God's creation. We always come home relaxed. I love to work in my flower gardens because there is always some sort of wildlife to enjoy as I "work"(which isn't really work).
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing pictures of your flower garden when spring comes to your area. I know you have beautiful gardens. Yes, working in a garden is a sweet place of "rest", even if you do get stiff in the back and knees...it's always so worth it. And after all, God started our very existence in a GARDEN, so there's definitely something holy about that!!
DeleteThe world all around us is so busy and to me loud! So taking time to "stop and listen" is so important to our mental out look. Yes, so many times in the Bible, God tells us to "wait" and "rest". We do need to Listen to His Spirit calling us aside to Him.
ReplyDeleteYes, I find even out here in the forest where we live there is always some kind of noise going on...trucks and cars sound louder when they rush down our dirt road that has a lot of washboard bumps...and voices carry further here, so we have to be careful not to shout too loudly at one another. I am learning to tune out the "noise" and listen for HIS VOICE...and therein I find peace and rest. Thank you for stopping in for a visit today. I do wish it could be in person...maybe someday!!
DeleteAs always, your post is a great devotional for me. I enjoy being with you and the Lord in your garden. Your daily walk is a blessing to others. Mr D and I aren't travelers either, except to travel around our town to see what's going on! We enjoy our 'trips' and always look forward to the next time! Hope you're having a very blessed day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary, for your daily blessings to all of us. I am humbled that you enjoy this daily devotional. It is my prayer that God will use it to bless others, as He is truly blessing me in the process. And it is fun to explore our world around us...there is so much out there that God has placed for our enjoyment and benefit if we just take the time to notice. I pray your day is blessed as well.
DeleteNo, you certainly don't need to take long, fancy, expensive trips to enjoy God's presence all around in the natural beauty (love those photos of the turkeys!) of His creation. We can rest in Him anywhere and everywhere at any time. Isn't that truly amazing? You've really brought that home to us today, Pam.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I am glad that you enjoyed the turkeys! I was so amazed at their appearance and performance! What a surprise! Yes, the Lord has beauty all around us if we just take the time to notice and give Him glory! Thank you for sharing in this time with me today. Blessings to you as well!!
DeleteWe live in town, along what was once a main route to a hospital. The street is very busy from time to time.Being in the house in the winter gets boring. Our back yard is surprisingly quiet. I enjoyed our enclosed front porch-sitting area we made last summer and can't wait to get out there again. I enjoy the peace of the backyard and miss it, as well. Blessings as you rest.
ReplyDeleteI know you will be happy to get back outdoors again and enjoy the beauty of your back yard and your front porch. It won't be long! I hope you can take rides occasionally in the winter and see some of the beauty of winter outside of the city. I know I would get cabin fever if I had to stay in all winter. That is one reason why we moved back south now almost 20 years ago. The winters in Maine/NH were just TOO long for this southern gal! Praying for an early spring for you, in spite of what the groundhog said!
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