I'll admit it. I have been a little overwhelmed the past couple of weeks. Traveling out of the country for work, my husband traveling, trying to finish a million house projects, hosting a 30 person party Friday night, hosting a bachelorette party weekend next weekend and a special baby shower for my sister the next. Oh yeah, and not to mention a full time job, Zumba, blog, church, husband, bible time, social life. I know it's all good things, but still. I am the kind of person who lays awake at night worrying about what color lampshade I should put in the guestroom for our first set of guests this weekend. Or if I am making enough food for our party Friday. And my mind goes a million miles a minute. It's crazy because I thrive on a busy schedule but sometimes I stretch myself too thin.
I am pretty good at external rest. I get enough sleep at night (sometimes too much) and I indulge in TV time on the couch and back rubs from my husband. It is the internal rest I struggle with.
I've never outright heard the voice of God (like Moses) but he sure did speak to me on Sunday. Church focused on rest and the large emphasis scripture puts on internal rest. The Lord knew I would be in a busy season right now, and he got me out of bed, drove me to church, knowing this would be medicine for my soul. It takes a mere few sentences for the bible to talk about rest in the book of Genesis. On the 7th day, He rested.
I felt as if I could exhale. My mental to do lists stopped multiplying and I rested in the presence of God. How is it that I can preach Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God, yet I can't rest myself.
Now don't get me wrong, rare is it that I am simultaneously planning 3 huge events at my house and leaving the country, I do have a pretty normal life most of the time. There are seasons in my life that I am immersed in God's rest and feeling internally at peace, I think that is normal for any human being. And rest is at our fingertips. The Lord's love is so attainable yet we don't acknowledge it. Most of the time I tell myself, I can rest when it's over. But it is never over. There is always another call to make, email to send, project to take on.
& I have found the perfect verse to get me through these hectic times
'The joy of the Lord is your strength' - Nehemiah 8:10
I keep reminding myself how lucky I am to have a full plate. That the things that keep me up worrying aren't half as bad as what others are experiencing. Planning parties means I have a social life. Painting a bedroom means I have somewhere to call home. And last minute date nights mean I have someone to share my life with.
Remember that you are allowed to rest, externally and more importantly internally. But it is a choice. Living in a sabbath rest is a daily decision. One that we are free to make because the Son of God gave us that freedom.
20 comments:
Great post, I am going to podcast it since we missed Church Sunday. Don't stress about your parties - you probably have already gone abvoe and beyond and all three are going to be a blast! I'm sure out of us 30 people we'll have a crazy amount of food & drinks haha :-) I can't wait to see the guest bedroom completed!!
I love your perspective. It is one I try to embrace. Too often I hear people complaining about having to run from here to there, in-law visits, messy houses, and on and on. I just want to shout, be thankful you have places to go, little people to run around, family and a house...... I don't want to be that person! I know I am at times, but I try to reel myself back in.
It is sometimes so hard to turn off the mind and "rest". This is one of the reasons I love to run ~ I just turn off my mind, focus on my music and the environment. I finish feeling physically tired and mentally refreshed! :)
Good luck with all the things on your plate ~ your parties will be fabulous (they always are!) Don't worry about the little details, you are the only one who will notice and safe travels for you and Jon!
ugh I know how you feel. I have a very hard time shutting down my thoughts at the end of the day, always thinking about the next thing that needs to be done. It sure is a good feeling to let your self relax and take that one day off for your self. Don't stress, I'm sure you're more than enough prepared :)
Oh how i needed this post this morning.
thank you soooo much for sharing and being real.
I especially love how you pointed out the difference between external and internal rest!
I hadn't really ever considered it, but I have often wondered why I remain so tired when I do plenty of resting.
Thinking it's the fact that I very rarely rest my mind.
"...seek peace...
pursue it."
Ps. 34:14
I feel the exact same way! Thanks for this today :) internal rest, here.I.come.
I do those same things! I worry about what kind of flowers to get when guests come. If they think our towels are not great, etc. I cam completely relate to this. Being able to balance a full plate like this is a gift!
Fantastic post Ruthie! Thank you so much for the reminder! I get so caught up in "life" that I forget to, rest and be still. I find too that the busier I am, the more to do's I have I not only tend to forget the "be still" part, but also the "and know that I AM GOD" part. I tend to focus on what I need to do, where I need to be, what I want and forget that God is in control. No matter how busy and stressed I am He's got this. :)
Such an awesome reminder Ruthie, thanks for sharing :)
This is so true. I once read a quote that said, "If you don't have time for God, you're busier than he ever intended you to be."
Love you!
Beautiful Ruthie, and so timely for me. Awesome how God uses you to help others huh :) I sometimes physically rest but definitely rarely internally rest. Oh I struggle with that!
We are heading to the beach next month for the first time in 5 years. My goal is to quiet my mind and focus on having as much fun with my kids as I can!
I am the same exact way!!! My mind never seems to rest or stop moving! And isn't it amazing how the Lord speaks to us at just the right moment? It happens to me all the time. And girl, I can't wait to watch Friday night! So excited for you guys!
Shanna
Giveaway @ Because Shanna Said So
Ruthie,
Really, thank you so much for this post today. I needed it.
Kate
I've been working on this lately too. My brain is constantly going and my phone gets the best of me in times when I'm trying to relax, I feel like there is always something that could be done on that thing! You have been so crazy busy lately, you deserve a rest! And seriously, the parties will be fab, no matter what lampshade you choose. :)
This is something that I've always struggled with. Maybe it's a woman thing? We have so many roles and jobs to do it just doesn't seem like there is time to rest!! But it's a commandment! Observe the Sabbath?! When we were going to the Village, Matt Chandler was always pressing hard on the church to take an entire day to rest and how important it is. I've slowly been learning to remove certain distractions but I still really need to take the time to actually sit and rest in Christ, not just physically, ya know?
I don't care what you say, you're wonder woman!
I really needed to read this tonight! I have been so stressed/annoyed that I feel like I am constantly working so much and covering others vacations and days off, etc. I need to stop and realize that all this means one thing - I have a job and it's a job that needs me. Thank you!
love this post and your perspective. having a full plate truly means that we are fortunate. take care of yourself while you rush around, ruthie! xo
Two weeks ago I heard this at church.
"It's not that God isn't speaking to you, it's just that your life is too loud for you to hear."
Loved your post as it reminded me to turn down my life even though I recently heard something similar.
Thank you for sharing this Ruthie. totally true, internal rest is a must. You will be just fine, take a breather and I am sure the lamp shades al look awesome!
xxS
Love this :) Thank you for sharing that verse!
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