About a week ago, while talking with a lady at church, she mentioned something to the effect of “I don’t think God ever intended for us to be this busy in life.”
I had just told my husband that very thing a few days earlier. And truly, although it seems like a nice thought, how does one carry it out? How do we stop running around like headless chickens doing everything that {we think} needs to be done?
Right then and there, I whispered a thought to my Father, “God, there has to be a way. Show me.” The next day I resumed my daily devotions, per usual, and started a new chapter in my book “Refresh Your Heart” by Claudia Barba. {If you haven’t read this book/done this study, I HIGHLY recommend it! It is so simply and practically written.} Anyway, on this particular day I began the chapter called “A Rested Heart.” I knew right away that this was God’s answer to my whisper-prayer. I needed a more rested heart.
On this day I considered Christ:
During His earthly life, He set an example for His followers of a simple, steady cadence of life. He completed His task on earth without worry or hurry.
Christ was a hard worker, but He did no more and no less than God had appointed for Him. He always had time for unscheduled events and encounters with people of all ages and walks of life. Meanwhile, His amazing plan was being accomplished quietly and according to His Word.
In the biography of our Lord, nothing is more noticeable than the quiet, even poise of His life.
How I want my life to look like that! After studying this chapter and looking at the character of my God, I was challenged to incorporate this into my life. In fact, this study has so impressed me in several areas that I’m thinking about doing a mini blog series on some of the ways it has impacted my heart. It’s just too good not to share!
If you know me well, you know that I struggle with some physical limitations called Adrenal Fatigue. It is the result of my pregnancies, and there really is no cure, just improvements over time. Part of the downside of this ‘invisible’ condition is that I get bursts of energy. I work feverishly, knowing that if I don’t get it done now, it might not happen for awhile. In so doing, I have created a “rush” mentality that has affected several areas of life. I realized after studying that chapter that I needed to create an atmosphere of calmness in my mind, consciously telling myself to just. slow. down. Even after just a week, I saw marked improvement. It’s amazing what happens when you slow down…
You have time to slide down rainbows and laugh with abandon.
You have time to climb higher, to reach new goals. You find that there is no reason to fear.
You have time to sit by the stream and watch fish, who are never in a hurry. You may even have time to swim with them.
You have time to drink deeply from the springs of living water. More than once a day. You have time to “taste and see that the LORD is good.”
You have time to bury your nose in the hearts of huge tulips and to gaze in amazement at the wonder of a bloom…at the wonder of His grace blossoming in your heart.
You have time to sit in a big red chair and to “be still and know that I am God.” You have time to ponder the things He is doing in your life.
You have time to “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness”… and to bask in the sunbeam of who you are in Christ.
You have time to teach others to do the same.
In the biography of our Lord, nothing is more noticeable than the quiet, even poise of His life.
Share with me: How do you cultivate a spiritually rested heart? Do you have to slow yourself down at times? What are some blessings you’ve seen in your life from resetting the pace of your life? I love hearing your thoughts!
Love this. I think a blog series is a great idea.
Today I’m taking the day off of the gym. I don’t know what I will do but there is going to be a lot of resting involved. My go-to thing of late has been having Ezra play in his room all afternoon (now that we’ve actually been able to get him to understand the concept of “quiet time” and he does it gladly.) Yesterday he was in there for like 4 hours. I felt a little guilty, but overall, I felt so much better and wasn’t grumpy when Russ got home from work.
You shouldn’t feel guilty. 🙂 We introverts have to have our quiet time, eh?! And as long as he’s happy, what’s the harm? It’s not like you’re shutting him away without access to you. Caleb used to ‘read’ books for like 2 hours straight when he was Ezra’s age. That was my “breathing space.” 🙂
Well, not exactly. I actually lock the door because it’s the only way he would stay in there and play by himself. For a while he would cry but now he just wakes up and starts playing with no tears or whining involved. If he’s confined he will play contentedly by himself. If not, he won’t play with his toys or by himself at all. He will just want to be with me or be doing what I’m doing (or watching TV). I feel so much better about him being locked in a room with toys and books, playing happily, then watching hours and hours of TV (which was what he did when he was much younger). I feel like, while he is physically removed from me, he is learning valuable skills like self-play (which he has never been that good at) so honestly, a lot less mommy guilt then when he’s awake in the same room with me and just watching the TV!
When you find a plan that works so you get some quiet time, go for it! 🙂 Seems like as they grow, the ‘plan’ keeps changing and we have to get more creative to get our slow time. 🙂
You (holy spirit?) inspired me to actually start the blog I’ve been thinking about writing for quite awhile. I love to write 🙂 Hope you don’t mind I linked to your post in it.
http://glimpsesofheart.blogspot.com.au/
I would certainly love to keep in touch yes (as you suggested in reply to my other comment). 🙂
Good for you, Kylie!! I’m going to hop over and take a peek at your blog. 🙂 And I don’t mind the link. I’ll send you a private email soon!