The Secret Garden Chronicles-Day 12- Come Aside and REST

It's kind of a gray, cloudy, windy, raw day...so I don't know how long I'll be able to sit out here in the Secret Garden today.  But I came armed with a cup of hot tea and am wearing my favorite flannel shirt and sweat pants; so hopefully I can endure this long enough to commune with the Lord and hear what He wants to say to me and US today.

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.

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!"