I saw this graphic from She Reads Truth today and loved how it went right along with this blog I posted! I think all that She Reads Truth does is stunning and inspirational! So I share this with you and encourage you to check out~ She Reads Truth ~ for studying the Bible for yourself resources.
We all have been there…..
Every mother that strives to give her all to her family and home, has been there! Every young woman trying to be everything to everyone has been here.
EVERY Woman HAS BEEN HERE…
I am talking about the feeling of being stressed out and overwhelmed by the many hats we wear daily. I sat one day on my couch and thought to myself, I can not remember the last time I sat on our couch. Some moms would find pride in that statement and brag on such a thing and that might have been me before but in this season the Lord is molding me to see His favor in His command to find rest in Him.
I am that momma that thought she would do everything for her children up until they would get married and yet, I find myself training my boys in the daily activities they must do so that they can be responsible men one day. Men that do not need their momma to wash their clothes. ( But, when she does, because she can, it will be a blessing, not an entitlement.) I am learning that this is what is best for them, not what will make me “look’ and feel like a good momma. One would say if my boys can have fun all the time and never do any work than I am doing my job well. But I would say taking the time to teach them will mold them into men that will rise up to challenges and overcome that idea of hard work.
I say this because I am learning in each season by Jesus’ grace and guidance what it is to be WHO I am.I am learning what is good for me and what the Lord already knows Who I am and what is best for me.
I am learning that being a “busy bee Momma” is not what is best for me or my family.
I am learning that when this momma examples rest, her children find their spot on the couch next to her and find rest in her arms something to embrace. I am learning that rest in your home is one of the beautiful things that makes your home a home worth coming to. A home that your husband longs to be at.
I am learning that in this test these things must and will happen to fully grasp all that is good in this command from the Lord, “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.” Exodus 23:12
“Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.” Exodus 23:12
#1: We must push out guilt
I grew up with proving myself by my constant works. I was not lazy but did the hard and tedious things to show that I cared. So I never really embraced rest. Guilt always came with rest.
The evil one would like for no other to run us into a busy-spin that keeps us from all the blessings that true rest, appropriate rest will usher in. This rest only comes when you know with confidence that you have done your best and you leave the rest to Jesus to hold in His hands. You then can find peace for your soul that He knows best and all your works will never accomplish what He has for you and the ones you love!
Trust is a huge part of embracing rest.
When we run ourselves ragged trying to accomplish what we think is best we miss out on trusting that the Lord is in control and we don’t have to be.
# 2: We will feel like your brain is becoming mush ~
This happens for the simple fact that your head is not spinning in a million different directions. As women we are always analyzing, planning, predicting what we need in order to accomplish the next thing on our schedule.
This feeling is good but scary! Because we are not holding tight to all that we do with our hands but can stop that whirlwind and listen, listen to our Jesus, listen to our husbands, listen to our children, listen to our friends, all without that glazed look on your face~ revealing that your head is processing 5 other things as this conversation is going on!
Because we are not holding tight to all that we do with our hands but we stop that whirlwind in our heads and listen, listen to our Jesus, listen to our husbands, listen to our children, listen to our friends, all without that glazed look on your face~ revealing that your head is processing 5 other things as this conversation is going on!
~ But wait, If you will embrace rest and you will come out on the other side inspired by His Spirit in what your next step should be.
Rest has a huge part in worship, It helps us stop and focus on what is important to us. Not letting our head spin and sound out our hearts that need to shut out our distractions and just rest in grace, Gods Amazing Grace!
#3 We will Rise and Shine
Just like the Morning sun after a long night, We will Rise up and Shine bright because we know where our help comes from.
In this short but sweet time, you embrace rest without guilt, You will find the strength that you have drained in your own control of things.
Can you relate that we drain ourselves with errands, practices, games, School projects and involvements, Just trying to be a wife, momma, and etc? I do believe we are our worst critics. We push ourselves as if we have something to prove.
I have found that when we empty ourselves of our ambitions and rest in what Jesus has blessed us with we rise up to the occasion and we are better wives, mothers, daughters etc.
We will be refreshed to be refreshing to those around us!
Some of the most gracious, steadfast, gentle-spirited women I know, have given themselves an opportunity to seek rest. You can add a #iwanttobelikethemwhenIgrowup
This leads me into my favorite of what I have found to be true when I embrace a season of rest.
#4 We will enjoy our Blessings
We will have the strength and Joy in what was given to us to not only grow, guide and love but to enjoy!
I find that after I have swallowed my pride and put away what others might think or lay down my to-do list, I am the one that takes the time to notice the small things that make my heart smile and also to take on the challenges of parenting with a smile that comes from within.
I find that I enjoy my time with my handsome, (Wink, Wink), I make time for us and enjoy it fully!
I find that I enjoy the everyday task such as cooking a good meal for my family and a spontaneous wrestling match.
I love that confidence that arises in me that I have done what is MOST important. That is finding my worth and strength in the one that is able to give far more that I could think to ask. It is worth it and I hate it has taken me so long to learn the gift of finding true rest.
In this we find ourselves at a heart of worship~ A grateful heart is a huge part of worship!
I believe boldly that when Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” that He really intended for us to find rest in Him and He would give us what we need to enjoy the burdens we have in this life.
Will you enjoy all that Jesus wanted to give us wives, mothers, etc?
This is not to say we do not work hard to do what is good for the ones we love, It just means that maybe what is good sometimes is a good balance of work and rest.