Rest to refresh

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:2-3 NIV)

As I write this I am sitting on my deck enjoying a perfect June evening. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and I am resting. Last week was the arts camp and I felt the intense press of it. So many things to coordinate and make happen – and we did. It went well. The program Friday night was wonderful. The kids had a fantastic time. Seeds were planted. Goals were met. God was glorified.

Now I rest.

I rest because it’s time. I have worked hard and pressed into long hours and long lists of tasks but they are done. God created Sabbath for a reason – because he loves us and knows we need rest. Not only physical, but spiritual and emotional rest, too. The past 10 months have been a pressing season, but now I feel a call to a resting season. Yes, the kid-care will still happen and the house will still function; I’m not planning to just lay around every day. But, space for reading, journaling, writing, praying, visiting with friends – that sounds delightful.

Space to listen for God’s voice.

Space to absorb the beauty and wonder around me.

Space to reflect.

Space in rest to refresh.

If you are in a pressing season, know that God is building your endurance and your strength. It is not easy, but your perseverance will serve you well. And there will be a resting season. When? I do not know. But just like “it’s always darkest before the dawn,” the climb is hard until you reach a summit. Yet, that summit gives you a view you would not have had without the climb. Pray for strength. Pray for endurance. Pray for perseverance. And when you reach the rest, take it. Enjoy it. Savor it. Bless God for it.

He loves you and holds you in the palms of his hands now and forever.

The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)

AMEN and AMEN.