Rest. The beginning.

I've said that I would take part in promoting Bonnie Gray's new book. Whispers of Rest, and am part of a facebook group, following on Instagram and Twitter, and getting daily emails.

It's all about Rest. Quite honestly, I feel too busy and frazzled to do it. I just don't have the time and energy to go to the effort of resting. How bizarre is that?

Someone on facebook talked about savouring a cup of coffee. Pausing. Taking a moment of rest, even though she had been so distracted that even when reading her daily devotional she was "Scarfing down words"...well, yes, that's me as well. I have so much going on that the prospect of HAVING to rest seems exhausting! One more thing to do! I'll think of this lady, though, when I too am pausing over that first morning cup of coffee tomorrow. I'll choose my special cup, blue and yellow Portuguese china, which my friend Lisa gave me, and pause and rest. I think this 'enforced rest' is going to be just what I need...

Finding quietness... whitespace again

In church yesterday, we were challenged as to whether we had become lukewarm and indifferent to the things of God. If we were going through the motions - serving, attending a small group and church services, etc - but not really connecting with God. The minister asked us to raise our hands so he could pray for us.

But I didn't raise my hand. The heart is deceitful above all else, of course, but I didn't feel I WAS indifferent. I DO actively strive to connect with God, to rest with him, to encounter him... but I AM busy.  It is busyness that is the distraction, and Bonnie's book 'Finding Spiritual Whitespace' calls me aside to rest.

That is my challenge.

Advent. Seeking.

Deep in my longing heart,
constantly, continually,
I seek Him.

Deep in the busyness
of a hectic life,
I seek Him.

Smothered underneath
my Christmas shopping
I search for Him.

Hidden among
familiar carols
I listen.

Beneath the fluster
of decorations
I glimpse Him.

Stilling my heart
in the midst of hurry
I find Him.

Wise men still seek Him.
I AM wise when I
stop to look.

Advent. Action

Every morning
I turn my eyes to Jesus.
I give Him my day
in the hope I will think of Him
just a little more than yesterday.

Every morning
I arrive at my work
my wonderful, fulfilling
fun job of teaching children
who are still in the stage of wonderment.

Every morning
I get so involved
with other demands and wants,
both colleagues and children,
that I don't give Jesus a thought.

Even when, while marking
books, preparing lessons,
praise and worship music
fills my ears but not my heart:
my mind is so absorbed with others' needs.

And I wonder:
surely Mary kept her
heart fixed firmly on that little
life within her. Hands busy,
mind pondering the mystery of God.

And so, surely
I too can turn my mind
to Christ, my pupils' Saviour,
sharing this greatest news
with a world that is full of hurt and riches.

Every evening
I turn my heart to Jesus.
I give Him back my day
in the hope I will think of Him
just a little more tomorrow than today.

He sees me: encouragement for the end of the week.

I found this lovely piece of encouragement over at the (in)courage site:
"For the hard week, the long week, the backed up, broken down week.
He sees you.

For the good week, the full week, the love lived in the floorboards and round the kitchen table and back out again week.
He sees you.

For the smudged eyes and runny mascara week. For the shouted prayers and broken promises week.He sees you.

For the aching heart, hurts-to-breathe week. For the lonely week. For the lost week.
He sees you.

For the empty tank and forgotten errands. For the dirty dishes and loads of laundry week.He sees you.

For the wrinkled week, the long week, the rundown week.
He sees you.

For the laughter shouted week, the friends around the exciting news week, the beloved week.
He sees you.

However your week ended. However your week began. You are as beloved today as you were at the start of it.He sees you, friends. He sees each individual unique week you’ve lived.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8

He’s got you and this week and the next one.

Uncluttered

An awesome song from Gwen Smith:




 

Needing Grace

Renee Swope talks about this far better than I do - here's the link.

Why am I posting this? Check the labels!

Give God your waking thoughts. Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed, step into His presence.~ Max Lucado