We drove down a dirt road in Maine and crossed over the old wooden covered bridge, tall pine trees made a canopy over us and the spot seemed to require whispers, out of reverence for what it provided. As I made my way to sit on a rock to take in beauty and serenity Psalm 23 “He makes me lay down by quiet waters” kept singing in my soul.

The way the old trees had fallen into the river resting there, the river not in a hurry with only the slightest of currents visible seemed to take worry, rushing, and anxiety away. I could hear God’s still, quiet voice saying: “I am holding you now, I will hold you in the future.” There is a peace there and I soak it in as if I just walked out of a desert, and maybe I have.

Life does that to us. We get burdened and life-weary. We carry the concerns and questions like weighted bundles strapped to us.

BUT GOD!! God says He sees us. God says we are so valuable to Him, we are worth the price of His Son’s life. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” Matt 11:28

Weary: exhausted, depleted, mental and physical work until worn out. Burden is weighted-down. Rest: the sweet repose one enjoys after toil; to keep quiet; calm and patient expectation; cease from any movement or labor in order to recover and collect his strength.

It’s almost as if God knew we would run ourselves ragged, and we would need the reminder and permission to stop and rest.

Rest. Don’t you just love that word? Sometimes we need to fight for it, knowing how much we need it. As we were preparing to come back to New England to visit family, my girls cautioned me to “preserve my peace.” They knew the tendency would be to not disappoint anyone and run around trying to see each person. There are times when we need to give ourselves permission to just not to. Not to do it all. Not to see everyone. Not to say it all. Not to be it all. Not to strive for it all. But to rest.

There are times when rest comes in the quiet of a rain storm and we stop for a pair of seconds to take it in; looking at a flower; children playing and laughing or a visit with a good friend.

There are times when you go and find rest: walking a trail; sitting by the water; turning your phone and computer off and letting your mind wonder and create.

I needed to hear that God is holding me now and holding my future. I needed the space to breathe and not feel guilty that I wasn’t being productive. I needed the reassurance that He is still not freaked out, He is solid and I can rest in all I know about who He is.

Our lives are meant to live with Sabbath and rest built in. It is a time to reconnect, dream and refresh. In case you haven’t heard it lately, “Go for a walk”; “Turn off your phone and computer and read a book or call a friend”. I’m laughing as I type because I sound like a mom. Whatever you need to do … do it! You are worth it and deserve it.

I would love to hear how you find rest.
You are loved!
Have an amazing day!!!!!

All my love ~
Jodi xoxo

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