...in rest

A couple weeks ago I talked here about finding the good in the quiet. This has introduced a new normal for my morning that I honestly don't know how I ever lived without. I've been doing this every week day for the last couple of weeks, but letting myself sleep in on Saturday and Sunday with the intention of keeping them more laid back days. It's pretty ironic because the last two Saturday's I have been able to really sleep in (this Saturday it was until 8:30!) and yet I've been SO exhausted and just flat out cranky all day. It really got to me this last weekend. I thought I was giving myself a break and time to rest, but I felt the very opposite of rested.

I thought about it a lot through the weekend, about what rest means. Today it just hit me: Rest, for me, is not the act of being physically still or relaxed. Rest, for me, is the absence of anxiety, worry, stress, and fear. If you look up "rest" on dictionary.com, the 3rd definition says: relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs. YES, this is the rest I am in need of daily, the rest that is crucial: freedom from anything that troubles. When I start my day off with time alone with God, that time is completely free of all worry, all stress, all fear. It's just me and my God and His truth that reminds me of who He is and who He says I am. It gives me perspective for the whole day. For me rest is not found in sleep, rest is found in the quiet time of reflection on what is true. It is GOOD to find rest, to dwell in it, to soak it up, and to go back for it again and again.

 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."   Psalm 62:5-8

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  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.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30