Laced With Grace

“But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” ~ Luke 5:15-16 (ESV)

We live in a new area; we are connected 24:7. We are on twitter, FB, blogs, forums to communicate with other like-minded women. It is wonderful to be so connected around the globe.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with staying connected with everyone; even with my own family in Germany. I don’t want to miss anyone’s news. I want to respond in a timely manner. But this past weekend I did the unthinkable (for me unthinkable). I unplugged; completely unplugged. And guess what?!? It did my body, soul and mind good. For the first time in years I did the things I done before my life online. I read, I studied, I relaxed…

In Luke 5 Jesus starts His public ministry. His life went from quiet to overwhelming in a short few months. He called His disciples, healed the sick, and answers tough questions from His opponents. What I find fascinating though is that He too “unplugged” and plugged-in with His (our) heavenly Father.

My sweet friends, Jesus knew that apart from our Heavenly Father, we loose steam. We are not made to keep going, and going, and going. God gave us the day of rest, but for me, I don’t rest. I mean really rest. Usually on the weekends I catch up on emails, write, and take photos.

This past weekend proved that I need the rest; I mean really rest. Totally unplugging from everything was great and I feel refreshed going into the next week and month. Since this past weekend was so much fun, I have decided to unplug bi-monthly. No email, no twitter, no forum, no FB.

May I challenge you to do the same? Just unplug…maybe you don’t want to do it every other month. What ever timing works for you; do it though. You will see that it will help you to refocus and it will refresh you as well.

Lord of Heaven and earth. Thank You for Your guidance to unplug this past weekend. It was nice to focus on You, literature and family. Lord, help me to take care of myself more often. I do not want to be overwhelmed but be used by You to further Your kingdom. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo & Content Copyright © Iris Nelson

It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested. — Exodus 31:17 (NIV)

It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. — Exodus 31:17 (ESV)

In reading this piece of Scripture, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps God didn’t really need to rest, but he chose to. Then I wondered if he did this more as an example for us because he knew we would need times of rest. I’m sure God does many things that he never tells us about, so what’s the significance of him telling us this?

Somehow, if God were to say, “I don’t rest but you need to,” I don’t think it would have the same impact on us, especially since we, by nature, try to be our own gods or create gods out of our endeavors.

Perhaps it’s because I’m getting older, but I find I desperately need that day of rest, time to just unplug from the push and shove of the world. I even made steps to cut off the clamors for my attention on the weekends by turning off Twitter and staying away from my computer on Sundays. For me, this has been a great solution to reduce stress and recharge my battery for Monday.

I’m so grateful we have a God who teaches not only by his Word but by his actions, too. He could have kept that to himself, as I’m sure he keeps many things, but he chose to reveal it to our benefit.

So I’m learning to take those times of rest, on the weekend and sometimes for few minutes during my work day. Just to stair out the window by my desk and drink in a few moments of God’s creation.

How about you? What do your moments of rest look like?

Praying and believing,
Dineen

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”
~ Psalm 63:1-4 (ESV)

Everyday we are rushing to get our to-do list done. Get up, get the kids ready for school, go to work, volunteer at church or school (or both), prepare dinner, clean; the list goes on…By the time night rolls around, we are ready to drop into bed, so we can do it all over again the next day, and next…Seriously, everyday life can drain the joy right out of us. Although I no longer have to rush around getting our son from here to there, life is still busy – only in a different way.

Psalm 63 has become one of my favorite Psalm over the past year. David wrote this particular Psalm when he was in the desert of Judah. I can relate. Not only do I live geographically in the desert, but also my mind and body were drained. Where did my joy go? Did I once again put too much on my plate? Hm, yes…Once again I let things creep into my life that kept me from the One who truly brings me joy…

Let me share the next 4 verses of David’s marvelous Psalm:

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”
~ Psalm 63:5-8 (ESV)

Did you see? David found joy in the shadow of our Lord’s wings. His soul was satisfied with the being in the presence of the Lord. Oh, what a way to spend some of our free time with Him.

Sweet sisters, I know that the things we are doing are good thing, like taking care of family, or volunteering, earning a living. One thing I suggest though: take some time out of your busy day to spend with the Lord. I know, it is not easy to do, but oh, it is so worth it. Your day will go much smoother; well, mine does when I intentionally take time out to spend in His presence…

Lord of Heaven and Earth. I need Your help to keep me on track. In order to find true, satisfying joy, I need to spend time in your presence on a daily basis. Lord, clear my to-do-list in order for me to be refueled in this dry parched land called life. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen