On Rest ~ The Kind Your Soul Needs

What kind of rest is your soul needing today?

Is it actual sleep?

Do you need a brain break and some play...

 or even pampering?

How about some time to create?

Capturing photos/videos of your days story. Writing your heart. 

Doodling or drawing. Sewing, baking, crafts...

An activity you really enjoy but haven't done lately.

A good book to savor.   While you sip your coffee or tea...

Finding Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray and You're Loved No Matter What by Holley Gerth

Some time outdoors in the sun, on a hike, or riding your bike.

Time for watching the sunset

Some quiet time to pray.

Or just being still in the silence for awhile...

Time with ones who lift your spirits and love you as is.

Talking story or just being quiet together.

May you take time to recall and write down your soul filling activities. God's gifts to you.

May you make time for at least one of them. Be kind to you.

Hugs from Hawaii,

Jeri


Hebrews 4 ~

v10 - for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

v11 - Let, us therefore, make every effort to enter that rest...

Finding rest in Coffee for Your Heart
 with my friend Holley

and

Beloved Brews with my friend Bonnie

The Rhythm of Rest ~ Guest Post at Jenn's

Lately, men and women have both shared with me that they're totally exhausted.

Are you exhausted too? I hear ya.

Come on over with me to Jenn's place if you need to find your Rhythm of Rest. Men, I've written for you too so don't be alarmed at the series title over there. We all really need these life words.

I celebrate you as you take a step toward more rest.


Jenn's series on Women, Their God, and Their Struggles has stories from 3 other women this week. Maybe one of those titles will tug at your heart as well.

Asking, Pleading, Screaming ~ Need Some Rest?

Is your body, soul, and/or spirit needing some rest? If so, is it at the asking phase, the pleading phase, or is it already screaming at you for rest?

Our bodies know when we need rest. It gives us little signs: yawning, tired thoughts or lack of focus to name a few.

Just the same, I believe our souls let us know when we need rest as well. The tired soul is a weary one. You believe there's hope, but at the same time hope seems so afar off. Some signs: hopelessness, disillusionment, dread, and/or discouragement come to mind.

Then, our spirits let us know too: Lack of motivation to be in God's presence and/or pray and low or no desire to reach out for help top my list. The things of God don't interest us.

Asking = little warning signs. Starting to "feel" tired.
Pleading = bigger signs. Wanting to get away from it all.
Screaming - complete shut down. Isolation, bursting into tears, shutting others out.

We might not be paying attention. Maybe we don't have the time to pay attention as the everyday pulls us in every direction.

That's why it's so vital to have a time you devote to being with God, in His word, and journaling what you get out of that time. There will be times we won't feel like it. There will also be times when it doesn't seem like it's important or worth it. He's proven to me time and again that during those times, faithfulness to be with Him anyway, is where He gives me the most rest and recovery.

Here's another area where there is no formula. Again, this is a unique and intimate time tailored to you and Him. When you're tired whether body, soul, or spirit, feelings aren't trustworthy. Because, they're all over the place. Trust in His truth that He values your time together. You will see the rewards of it later if not now.

Maybe all the problems don't get solved at the time. But He will soothe the ache, restore faith little by little, and begin to restore gently and slowly as we refocus on our true place of rest. His presence is our true place of rest. Everything else will fall in place progressively in His time.

Linger in His presence for true rest and recovery. Let it come at it's pace.

With You in Mind:


Grab these: your favorite beverage, devotional, bible, notebook/journal and a pen.

Just be there: Don't preplan how it will go. Just sit with God and be there in the quiet. Breathe in and out slowly.

Remember this truth: He loves you just as you are. You can relax.

How about starting with: "Thank you Jesus, for loving me in my mess." And really let that sink in...that He loves you, "in" your mess...that He's with you in your mess...that He wants to help you through it. He actually wants to help you. That's already incredible!

Extras that bring rest and renew vision: 

Light or regular exercise can renew.
~ Light warming exercises like slow walking or a short hike, stretching, deep breathing, playing outside with your dog.
~ Slow jogging, longer hikes, swimming, playing with the neighborhood kids, etc. Perspiring gets rid of toxic build up from stress.

You pick your favorite way to exercise. Being outdoors can truly renew and refresh.

Sometimes you actually need to sleep.
~A short nap (15-20) can be so beneficial.
~Going to bed early helps during these times because your body needs more rest than usual.
~Taking time off for yourself to be by yourself -- a few minutes or hours, 1/2 day, a whole day, or a vacation. 


All of these help us better problem solve and nurture creative growth.


Soul Refreshment:


Truth: He honors your effort to be with Him. He truly does. So don't be hard on yourself. Just be there.


Psalm 118: 5-6 ~ Pushed to the wall, I called to God; from the wide open spaces, he answered.
                                God's now at my side and I'm not afraid...


Jude 1:1-2 ~ I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, 
                           writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. 
                    Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; 
                           open your hearts, love is on the way!

{Unwrapping Jesus} ~ Resting in His Righteousness

Resting in Jesus gifted me with being a part of this moment - okay, I'm tearing now.

Soul Refreshment

Galatians 5:22-23 ~

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Rest every chance I get to:

I’m looking forward to seeking out rest every chance I can throughout this holiday season. I want to soak in the people I love and be completely present in being with them. I don’t want to miss their personalities, quirks, the beauty of their individual characteristics, and the hugs. Oh yes, definitely the hugs. 

The more mindful I become of resting in soul, body, spirit, and mind I find myself more grateful, compassionate, and in tune to those around me. Selflessness is a freeing rest.  I experience more of His grace, as help, for my everyday details. 

But first...

Letting go of self-righteousness (justification): The Unrest

I must let go of past hurts, scars, and injustices. Holding on to them imprisons me to experience the pain constantly. It puts me under the control of that pain to the point I justify my anger and bitterness. It robs me of the joys He gives me. It steals the quality of my encouraging relationships. It keeps me in the dark and under the covers. Self-righteousness pulls inward. It brings turmoil devoid of rest.

His righteousness (justification): Complete Rest

I sincerely choose to open my hands and let God take them all. As quick as He’d like to. Letting go positions me to heal, forgive, and become. Letting go doesn’t make what was done right. It releases me to freely receive the gifts of His righteousness. His justification. He will create a right heart in me and with Him. I will focus on what matters most. The distractions of the past will become blessings for my present and future. 

He lovingly tailors those blessings to each of our unique needs. Now that is a revealing of how He loves each of us individually.

The key is to let go each time it occurs. An offense may happen soon as you are done reading this. Let go to be free and stay freed.

Be free to enjoy what He came here for. Here is where complete soul rest exists. Here is where it is freely available.

His birth and death reminds me to hope often:

His birth gifts me with a life of affection, exuberance, and serenity. A life better and fuller than what I would choose if I hold on. 

He was born and died so I could be free to love, give, receive, create, play and laugh as worship to Him. What a gift. What a beautiful and freeing gift. 

A prayer for us:

Lord, I pray that each of us receive your gifts of righteousness, joy and peace this season. That this will be the start of a truly free life. Help us to let go of each hurt, scar, and injustice of the past and present. Help us to let go of those who have done wrong to us as well. Let your forgiveness wash through our souls. Blow away those dark clouds that have hung over us too long. Shine your love, selflessness, creativity, laughter and ability to enjoy into our lives. Remind us to continually thank you for the littlest joys in our everyday. In Your Name, Jesus, Amen. 

Woohoo!!!


More Soul Refreshment from Bonnie's post on Monday:


Luke 2:11-12 ~ 
“A Savior has just been born…This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped…“

This season I'm looking for rest that frees me to enjoy His gifts. 

What are you looking for?

Bonnie's inviting everyone to unwrap Jesus all December long.