Heavy Loads....Need Rest....

It happens. We forget. Slowing down doesn't seem like an option. We can't. We must keep moving. Working. Then.....

We get worn down. Patience is worn thin. Tempers flare easily. The laughter seems diminished. We become disconnected. From Him. From one another. 

He promises rest. We only need to seek it. Seek Him. 

“Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. 

I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

It happened to us. It's been a trying year. We felt the disconnect. From one another. From rest. From Him. Then....

This day. This moment. This beauty. 

 Words were few.

Beauty was all around.

His presence was there.

Slowing. We took in His artwork.

His rest was accepted.

Thanks. Many thanks. Offered. Appreciated. 

Reminders of togetherness. 

Recognition of the important things. People. Family. Love. Him.

I want to be mindful. I want to seek Him. I want to step away from the daily grind. Seek a place of solitude, surrounded by His workmanship. 

Thank You, Father for restoration. Of patience. Of laughter. Of togetherness. For Your presence. Your love. Your grace. May I be mindful. May I not let so much time pass with busyness. May I seek you daily. And intentionally, more often, get away.

My soul, waits in silence for God only,

For my hope is from Him. - Psalm 62:5

Do you get overwhelmed before you remember He promises you rest? I urge you. Do NOT wait. Find your rest. It changes everything. He changes everything.

Be Blessed!

Autumn, in awe of His splendor....

I'm always amazed at the splendor of our Creator. The sheer beauty of a spring flower, the peace and tranquility of the ocean, and the majestic sparkle of a freshly fallen snow, it's all evidence of His mighty hand at work. Truth be told, no season leaves me more in awe, though, than Fall.

God, my Master, you created earth and sky by your great power—by merely stretching out your arm! There is nothing you can’t do.  (Jeremiah 32:17 - The Message)

There is just something about the season of Autumn, that alerts my senses, renews my spirit, and draws me to Him like no other season. Sunsets seem more filled with beauty and color, the air smells crisp, the leaves begin to change, the grass slows it growth, the lawn mowers slow, then cease, the nip is almost always evident in the air, and the mosquitoes begin to hideaway (admittedly, my physical being likes this part best!). I love nothing more though, than a cup of coffee and the chill in air, while sitting on my deck first thing in the morning in front of my open Bible, meeting with my Heavenly Father. Only a few weeks each year offer me this prime opportunity, and I try to take full advantage of them.

It is the season where we begin to prepare for winter, but until the winter gets here, we get to experience a chill, but not cold; our earth as His canvas with the most beautiful and vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds; sunrises and sunsets that are breathtaking; and open windows that cleanse our homes and souls like no other season can.

Today, for my family, that looks like this:
                                   

We are preparing our wood for burning this winter in the fireplace. Another time and season in which I find comfort, but for different reasons, and the weather, temperatures and climate have nothing to do with it. That's another post, for another time. But for today, this preparation means it's Autumn. It means my family (immediate and some extended) were together. It means we enjoyed some sunshine, without Summer's heat, some togetherness that involved laughter and work, the smell of freshly cut wood, and for me, chats with my Mammaw, and more giggles as she proudly watched her grandsons-in-law and two of her great-grandsons work. 

A chilly morning. A cup (or maybe a few more) of coffee. Refreshing. Soul cleansing. Family. Fun. Wood splitting. My Heavenly Father among it all. Yes, this is my season. This is where my senses are awakened, my spirit is being renewed, my home smells and looks like fall. It is here. His splendor and majesty becoming more and more evident each day. Each morning, I awake to a new sign of His presence in the season. 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)


Some see Spring as a time of renewal, and it is...but to me, Autumn has it's own renewal and I have to think that our great Creator knew we would need more than one renewal each year. It's a time of harvest, in more ways than one. For me, it is the beginning of so many things, school, the season leading up to our Savior's birth, and I am harvesting what I have "sown" so far through the year. It's a time I think back, and reflect and meditate on what I've been taught, and how He has shown me so much and blessed me. How do you experience Autumn?

Thank you, Father, for this time, this season, this renewal.

Normal? Or a New Normal?

My life, and the life of my family has been completely flipped upside down since my Mammaw fell, received surgery, then was put in rehab. I found, what I thought, was our new normal. Then, a month later, she had a stroke that left her with minimal speech, and then went back to rehab. I was fearful to leave her. It was as if I felt I could stop another "bad thing" from happening.

My presence didn't matter. It took me a few long weeks of ignoring my home, running to and from the nursing home (rehab), and being completely emotionally and physically exhausted to realize, the only Presence that mattered, was Him.

This beautiful woman, who helped shape my faith, taught me to trust Him, and loved me unconditionally, taught me, in the midst of her storm, that even in this, I should trust Him. She didn't say anything, she may not have even known I struggled, but her own attitude and dedication, and determination to read her Bible and excitement over seeing her brother-in-law come to know Jesus, was enough for me.

What I've come to know, or at least relearn, is that we aren't promised perfect lives. And for now, THIS is my new normal, I can accept and deal with it, trusting His perfect guidance, or I can sulk and groan about how I don't like it or want what "was."  I know the precious lady who has taught me so many lessons in life isn't groaning. She's accepting each day as it comes, trusting Him to lead her through. 

Thank you Father, for this precious being who even in her own time of need, is teaching lessons.....Amen



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