My word for 2023 is “Ready!” Most mornings I add one thing to my list of whatever it is I am ready for. Some days I don’t add anything. Today is one of those days. I am not ready for anything. I just want to veg…
Do you have days like that? Do you let yourself just rest? Do you have that privilege?
Photo by Ihsan Adityawarman on Pexels.com Cats know how to rest… Let’s follow their example!
Matthew 11
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Some days we need to stop… andJust rest!
I’m gonna do that today. You gonna take some time to rest, too?
Yesterday’s Bloganuary#9 prompt was one I skipped. I missed a day because I didn’t want to write about the topic: Assumptions I Think People Make About Me. Ya, people probably assume… but my mom always told me when you assume, you make an Ass- u- me!
So I have negative feelings about assuming anything. I’d rather dig out an old blog from the drafts file… something I started a year or so ago and never finished. I’d rather read other people’s answers about assumptions. I’d rather skip a day of blogging and just apply the 4R’s. I needed to do that!
Rest Relax Rejuvenate Read
So I did!
And here’s that old blog that I never finished last August right around the time my daughter, DeAna, was having a birthday. It was titled, “Two Bodies”:
Two bodies Two sides of the earth
Two people One birth Two hearts One mind She’s my daughter Love binds.
Yup, I decided to skip #9 altogether. I don’t like assumptions, even if they are positive ones. I’d rather talk about today’s prompt.
Bloganuary#10 asked me to post 5 things I’m grateful for. I can do that… but don’t expect me to limit it to 5!!
Yesterday was a day to read, relax, and mind the advice of my Unity devotional… rest, recharge my battery, my whole being. I didn’t blog… but I took time to slow down and take breaks. I wasn’t totally alone. My friend, Julie, came by for a few hours and helped me empty my china cabinet in preparation for when we have to clear out all our dining/living room furniture to have the floors redone. Here is the inspirational message that asked me to “experience the peace and tranquility that rejuvenates me.”
The view from my bathroom window
Summer’s behind us Leaves are turning bright colors Welcoming Autumn
Before he left on his trip to Alaska Sunday, Bob spent some quiet time up in my sanctuary with me
Quiet’s essential To hear the angels singing Rejoicing in God
Sitting on my porch, I glory in the sun’s rays Rejoicing daily
Aloneness is grand If you realize one thing: You’re never alone!
Take time to wander An imaginary path Jesus by your side
Know that your friends are praying for you every day Watching the sunrise
(Thank you, Lisa, for this)
Imagine flowers Covering every hillside Singing God’s glory
Treasure the silence Embrace precious aloneness Feel the Holy One
He’s in Swiss mountains He’s sitting beside rivers Keeping company
Hear His bubbling voice Calling from flowing waters, “Come, find rest with Me!”
We had a wonderful outdoor church service today. God blessed us with the most perfect weather imaginable!
See the Rocky Mountains out beyond Bob’s nose? Only a few scattered puffy clouds over there.
Bob is in charge of “Buildings and Grounds” at our church. He has spent hours weed-eating under those threes! And we have a team of volunteers who mow the lawns. Looks lovely, huh?
Our service was out on that lawn. I didn’t take any photos til afterward when all the chairs were put away and only one couple remained talking with Bob.
Rev. Steve Hundley delivered a great sermon titled “”Peter Pride and Dana Defeated.” He assured us the names were not gender specific! If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I take sermon notes in poetry as I listen.
I changed the title to “The story of Our Freedom.”
The story of our freedom Is written on the Statue of Liberty. We believe in that freedom, but It can make captives of you and me.
We can be captivated by Our need to be totally free. Our need to be gregarious Causes us to share with you our glee.
We strive (like Peter Pride) to be At the top – – – the Number One. But sometimes Peter Pride’s goals Get in the way of following God’s Son.
We resist the role of Dana Defeated, Who is a critic of her own. She usually feels unworthy And tries so hard she’s tired to the bone.
Jesus says to give Him your burdens. He’ll put His yoke upon you And help you carry your troubles. Let Him take a pound or two.
Peter Pride sees life through self-effort. He keeps religion in its place. He knows Jesus has a point, But you gotta work to stay in the race.
Peter doesn’t believe burdens are light. He sees Dana Defeated as sad. She walks humbly and asks for help, But seldom looks contented or glad.
Peter found the glory of being on top Often is overshadowed by loss. Way up there, it’s sometimes lonely; No one to help carry our cross.
Jesus said, “Come to Me, I’ll give you rest.” He’s talking to Dana and Peter, both. Life should not be a journey to death. Instead, accept Jesus’ helpful yokes.
Jesus will provide the yoke for us. He’ll join with us and help us carry Our burdens of pride or defeat. Let Him lift you – and be merry!
Amen!
Have a Wonderful Sunday, my friends. See ya tomorrow. Love ya, JanBeek
My post yesterday was titled with the single word: Rest!! I’m hugging you in prayer today. I pray you were able to rest on the Sabbath – and I pray you are ready to sing his praises as you celebrate a very happy and meaningful DIFFERENT Easter Sunday today.
Here is my favorite Easter hymn. If you grew up in a traditional Christian church, you know this as well as I do… and you won’t be able to help yourself – – – you’ll HAVE to sing along!
God Bless You! Have a good rest… a very unique Easter…
Holy Saturday: The Bible says we should rest. Some call it “Sabbath.”
Luke 23:56 “The women who had been companions of Jesus from Galilee followed along. They saw the tomb where Jesus’ body was placed. Then, they went back to prepare burial spices and perfumes. They rested quietly on the Sabbath as commanded.”
