Finding TIme To Rest....

"The Lord is my shepherd.  I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.  He restores my soul."

Psalm 23:1-3

Life is an everyday thing and often filled with uncertainty, which is a reality that can make me very nervous.  You see...I want tot know what the plan is and I love it even more when I know how the plan is going to work.  Details!  I like details!  But, this is not how it often turns out.  Everyday is a new day and I dont know how it is going to turn out.  This is where God calls me to rest.  REST.  Sometimes I dont want to rest, and when I do rest...I sometimes feel guilty.  I have places to go, things to do, and important things to accomplish.  I can hear the whisper of the One who knows me best and loves me most..."April, its time to rest."  I have tried to ignore that whisper on more than one occasion, but the Lord is my shepherd and He is used to dealing with stubborn sheep like me.  Why does He want me to refresh my soul and give me peace that only can be found in Him?

First, I have to admit that I need rest.  Many of us have bought into the lie that who we are is based on what we do or dont do.  We fill every waking moment with something or someone in order to prove our worth.  I'm guilty of this.  After all, we must be worthy if we are doing worthy things, .....right?

When we admit our need to rest, we are acknowledging that we are human and limited in ourselves.  We need rest in Him.

After I admit, I need to turn to Jesus for rest.  I read in a devotional book that while relaxation is any activity that slows you down, restoration is an inside job and can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

When I turn to Jesus for rest, I need to lay my burdens down.  The number one stress is the result of bearing a burden that is not yours to carry.  Exhaustion comes when we take on a responsibility God never intended us to have.  Along with exhaustion comes emptiness that comes when we fail to take on a responsibility God does intend for us to assume.  God designes His plan and agenda for our life.  When we step outside of that plan, we are stepping into our own power and depending on our own strength, both of which will be depleted soon.

Resting in Him has always been a struggle.  I lay it down at His feet, and before I know it, I have picked it back up and I'm running with it.  Fatigue is not a spiritual gift.  Could it be that when I refuse to rest physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually through Jesus Christ, I am choosing to sin?  When I think I have the least amount of time to rest is when I need to rest the most.

Are you tired and exhausted from trying to live life on your own?  Come to Jesusu and you will find rest.  It seems like I am always tired and every step is hard.  Lord, Please forgive me when I turn to you as a last resort instead of running to You first.  Today, I turn to You, Lord for rest.  ---- Wont you join me?

What!!! Me Worry?



Have you ever been in the situation where you were truly worried, on a regular basis, as to whether you were going to be able to put food on the table, pay the mortgage, and cover the monthly bills?  For many people, this is a way of life.....living pay check to pay check and worrying.  Worried that they are never going to have enough financial monies to take care of their expenses without falling further into debt.  .  I think there is an old expression, "I've got more month than money".  Sadly enough, this is all to real for many people.  

Why is it soo easy to worry and so hard not to?  In Mathew 6:34 the Bible says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Even though our Lord Jesus reminds us of God's promises to provide for our every need, it is in our nature and lives that we often don't really trust Him.  Worry and anxiety still fill our lives and leave a dark cloud hanging over our heads.  Even for those who have plenty, keeping sight of what's important and essential for life is still difficult because our sin leads us to always want more.  We lose sight of whats most vital and necessary to living and whats not.

No matter how much I confess my faith and trust in the Lord's promises to provide us with all that we need, I still worry and feel anxious about our lives.....even when I have all that I need.  The truth is that for me personally, I loose sight of what is most vital for my life - my relationship with God.  I get soo caught up in the hurriedness of life, how we are going to pay bills, cover the mortgage, pay for necessities of life for our girls that I absolutely without a doubt take my eyes off of God and on to myself.  In the end, I have opened myself up to temptation and the sin of worry.  Seeking first "His kingdom" and believing that all "These things will be given to us as well" (Luke 12:31) according to the Bible gets lost in all of my anxiety and worry.

Dear Heavenly Father, it is really very easy for me to worry about money and other things so much that I tend to forget that You give me everything I need.  That's your promise to me.  Help me to faithfully hold on to that promise and trust that You will provide every one of my needs.  Help me to trust You for the little things as well.  Thank you for your love and blessings.  ---Amen!

I Resolve......Not To Resolve!

Just a few days ago, the New Year was rung in and I heard several people making their resolutions.  I heard, "When the holidays are over, I'm going on a diet to loose these pounds before summer."  OR "My resolution is to start exercising three times a week."  Even I have been guilty of not only thinking the same things.....but, saying them out loud.  I heard on the news last night that the number one New Years Resolution in America is to lose weight.  Start exercising came in second and quit smoking came in third followed by getting out of debt as the fourth.

Through the years, I have made some resolutions and always failed within a couple of weeks.....sometimes within a couple of days.  So, this year I am not going to make any kind of New Year's resolution, because by the end of the year I will not have lost those pounds....I might of actually gained a few!  And my exercise routine of walking from my car to my office five days a week does not really qualify as a legitimate exercise program.  :)

New Years resolutions are sort of a tradition for the beginning of each new year......just like dropping the ball on Times Square is a tradition.  But, I'm afraid that my resolutions last about as long as it takes the ball to drop sometimes.  Then, it all becomes a well meant and good intention.  

Sooo I am sticking to the commitment that I am no longer going to make a New Years Resolution........oh no!......Did I just make a resolution?  Oh well, no time to ponder that one.  So for now, I will take one day at a time and trust God to supply all my needs.  

Would you like to resolve not to resolve with me?  :)  LOL