Psalm 62:5 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.”
Definition of Rest: cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.
synonyms: relax, take a rest, ease up/off, let up, slow down, have/take a break, unbend, unwind, recharge one's batteries, be at leisure, take it easy, put one's feet up;
Most of you moms are laughing at this title and the definition of rest. You're not just laughing but you're secretly coveting what it means to relax, refresh, put one’s feet up. You think REST, what is that? It is only what I dream of…it will never happen. If you are like me I am secretly counting down the days until Carter Mae is 4. And she can walk downstairs and turn on Netflix and watch Mickey while I sleep in on a Saturday, without fear of her ingesting any pretty Lysol or putting lipstick on with sharpie.
I vow to find rest this season. Yes, the season is almost over, but I am going to find that REST if it kills me. (I will hustle to find REST, which is the exact opposite of what I am trying to do). As most of you know I am a goer at all times. I can exhaust people because I never seem to stop. My sweet husband many times has to say, “go do your thing,” but I am staying home! I know I need REST, I know I need to STOP, and I am on a journey to Wholeness by pacing myself to stop, to rest at His feet. This season especially I have vowed to STOP and to REST in Him. I want to see the magic in what Christmas truly is.
Last week as I ran into the packed mall to get one last thing, I was hustling to get in and out. I didn’t want to be there. I hate the mall especially at Christmas time. Hate is such a strong word, but people can just be down right mean at Christmas time.
Sometimes the Christmas spirit is not what happens to people when they realize they have one last toy on the list and they can’t find it. Store employees are stressed and it pains me to see the weariness on their faces from disgruntled customers all day. (And many years I have been that disgruntled one.) On my way out of the mall I passed a African American choir singing, “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” You know the sweet one that the little angelic children’s voice sing? I didn’t want to stop and listen. I didn’t have time. I had things to do. But they reeled me in, I STOPPED, and I LISTENED and I had tears in my eyes as I saw these babes sing, Happy Birthday to our Savior. The true meaning of Christmas.
It’s almost Christmas and there is always a flurry of activity before the big day. I don’t want to get taken away by the tornado of activity, errands, expectations. I want to REST. I am committed to RESTING in Him this week. I don’t know quite how I am going to do it, but dang it I am committing to figure out a way. We are at my in-laws house. It is a hustle and bustle of activity. We have little and big children, 5 dogs (one of which eats gift cards that have been wrapped under the tree), we have a multiple of different food allergies so everyone is hurrying and scavenging the pantries and grocery stores to find foods for everyone. It is anything but calm, but I am committed to finding the calm, the peace, the rest in Him. I am committing to prepare my heart even if I am late to the game. I refuse to dismiss the Christmas carols, and the fact we have to go to church on Christmas Eve as just another “to-do.” This year it will be my everything. The reason we do Christmas. The hustle bustle will not be my thing, the worry and expectation of others will not be my thing. My thing will be RESTing in Him.
Rest in His coming, in His birth, in the fact that He has come to make all things new and all things complete.
So each morning or shall I say mid- morning or really late morning I turn on the fireplace and REST in Him. I sit by the biggest Christmas tree I have ever seen in my life and I take in the words of His coming. I sit with my father-in-law who has been struggling with his health and mind for the last 3 years and we REST in Him. We are calm, we are patient, we don’t always have the exact right words to say. But we are RESTING in Him. That Christ overcomes all things. Makes all things NEW. And is our source of comfort.
Exodus 33:14 “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 62:1-2 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Isaiah 40:28- 31 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Matthew 11:28 “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.”
How are you Resting this season?