What a wonderful day I am having today – and God has been orchestrating this for weeks now. He knew it was just what I needed.
It has been a busy end to 2014 & beginning of 2015. So busy, I have had little time to reflect on what has all occurred. I have busy with the business of being busy – getting things done at work, at home, with friends. I have filled my days with busy. More than my days – my hours, my minutes, my seconds. I have very little down time – which means, I haven’t taken the time to process all that has happened.
So, I knew I needed some girl time. More importantly, some girl fellowship time. I contacted my favorite friend to connect with and we were searching for dates – hoping it would be in January. When she responded, she said a friend was hosting a “Soul Spa” day, and wanted to know if I could make it. It was a day for Christian women to come together for worship, and to spend some time reflecting. And, that day was one of the days that I was available.
So, here I am – and the morning has been amazing. We spent time praying, singing & getting to know one another. And, now, it is our personal time to write.
The bible verse chosen for this:
Mark 6:31 (NIV): “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Rest – that is an interesting word. It is truly only when I am writing or praying that I truly feel at rest. Other thoughts leave my mind and heart – and I am fully in communion with God…at rest.
2014 was a difficult year. There was so much to do and I felt responsible to do it all – with a smile on my face, without complaining, seeking God through every twist & turn. When I look at all that we went through last year, I could not have done any of it on my own. It was God. Only God.
It reminds me of my mom’s favorite poem – Footprints in the Sand. If you haven’t read it, here is the gist. As a man reflects on his life, he sees times when there are two sets of footprints, and other times where there is only one set. He realizes, that at the most difficult times in his life, there are only one set of footprints. So, he calls out to God – asking why, at the most trying times, God had left him to walk alone. God’s reply is so beautiful.
“My precious child, I love you and will never leave you – Never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (GNB): “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”
That is my prayer today – and for 2015. That I take God up on that offer. That I will come to Him with my troubles and burdens and He will give me rest. That is what He promises to each and every one of us. We just need to
“Let go, and Let God.”
Heavenly Father,
I come to you today in Thanksgiving. I am so very thankful for all of Your blessings – those seen and unseen. I am so very thankful for Your Promise of rest.
My prayer today for myself and others is to help us truly come to You first. To seek You and to give our burdens to You. You alone can handle it all. You never expected us to handle any of this alone – You are always there with us, wanting to lighten our load.
Please, God, help us to seek Your guidance and wisdom. Help us to gather the learnings of each experience, and let the rest go. Help us to be closer to You and Your plans for each of us. And, thank You for bringing me here today. You cleared the path so I would be here. And, this is exactly where I need to be today. Thank You!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen!
