There's a few viruses running through our family at present and dear Blossom is suffering the worst, but praise God the children are almost recovered.
She's had many sleepless nights tending to their tummy ills, fevers and head colds, all the while experiencing the worsening of her own health.
And isn't that the way of motherhood? With every ounce of reserve, we summon the strength to care for our young ones, and as soon as they are on the mend our own bodies succumb to exhaustion and/or sickness. In those seasons of mothering, or caring for anyone with high needs, when our bodies give up and our minds struggle for clarity, we must seek out stillness and rest.
Depending on your situation that may be easy to do, or it may be quite a challenge, but I do believe that when we offer up our exhaustion to the Lord, that He will show us how to rest, how to refresh, and how to be restored.
David's 23rd Psalm is like a river of peace, flowing gently through my mind, when I am in need of help for a weary and anxious soul. Sometimes I have been so unwell, so over-worked and sleep-deprived, that I sit down and let the tears fall, unable even to speak, but as the sobs subside my heart is soothed by singing an old hymn that I learned as a teenager at school, The Lord's My Shepherd. We would sing it at many Friday school assemblies, and if not this hymn, we would sing The Lord's Prayer. How blessed I was back then to learn such hymns in a public school...for I have never forgotten them, and the Father uses them to lift my soul time and again.
If you have never heard this hymn, take time to listen and be rested in your soul today...
As my singing comes to an end, more tears fall, but they have become healing tears, thankful tears, surrendered tears...for He is right there with me, and I know that I can let go and allow Him to carry me until my body and mind are rested, and I am able to go about again - though at a much slower pace for a few days.
If you are weary, sweet one, take time to surrender all, and let His Words of life be a healing and refreshing balm to your own soul. Don't rush through the day if there's no need to, stop trying to cram as much as you can into the daylight hours and thus leaving yourself shattered by day's end.
Jesus warned us not to worry ourselves about what tomorrow would bring (how easily we can forget that) and He said this for a very good reason. Today has enough...be in the present. God will be there tomorrow if we have a need or concern or trial.
Today, there are many women rushing from one thing to another, filling their hours with a list of accomplishments in order to gain praise or appreciation from others, or just because they want to feel better about themselves. Naturally we need to care for our homes and families, but leave time for the most important relationship in your life - God - as well as times of rest and refreshment.
Many of the nastiest health issues women battle with these days, have been known to stem from pushing their bodies (and minds) too far. Dear one, don't push beyond your abilities, strength or capabilities. There's no medal worth it. If you need rest, then rest. Spend time in your Bible, sing to the Lord as you go about your day, and ask Him to direct your plans and show you how, in your own situation, to be refreshed. Don't let the world tell you what to do, and don't try to copy the life your friends are living. You, and they, are quite unique in every aspect of health and life, for God made you and I to be a one-of-a-kind woman.
Let His peace flow over you like a river today, and wash away anything that's not needed...for you will find rest for your souls. He may surprise you with what He takes away, and what He pours in, but you can be sure it's done with love, and to help us walk in strength and grace.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Bless you always, dear ones,
19 comments:
❤ although, I don't have a good understanding of the last verse. Hugs and blessings , Shelley
Hi Jennifer,
Psalm 23 always takes me back to my Grandma's funural. I was 14. She was a lovely lady and my last grandparent. I realize years later how this must have been for my parents, especially my Mom.
Hugs, take care,
Joanne
Thank you Jennifer. xx
Thanks Aunty Jennifer. Its always great to have a reminder of what is most important. Always praying for you, Blossom and her lovely little family. xox
A beautiful post Jennifer. When we hear slogans like "rest is for the weak" and live in a world where accomplishment at all cost is measured and celebrated it is easy for people to minimise the importance of rest. xx
So, so easy to over-do when the coffee is chugging through my veins - but oh that crash when it's gone, lol. Rest is just as important as work, sometimes more so. Praying for Blossom and the children!
Thank you for your wise words, Jennifer. I have been so tired lately yet I keep pushing myself to get my chores accomplished before I go out to work each day.
Prayers for healing for your sweet daughter. I hope she feels better soon. 💞🙏
That's not the tune I know, but the words are so familiar. =) Thank you, Jenny, for a reminder to rest. The Lord designed rest into our lives for a reason. I hope Blossom gets to sink into rest this week.
Thank you for your kind, wise and most timely words.Today is not a joyous day for my mother and this week has added an enormous amount stress to a horrible week. For the first time today I relaxed.
Learned too ping the Lord's prayer around the age of eight.I espeicailly love the descant lines.I went to a Catholic school for my last two years of education.I really did not learn much there in terms of God. But I learned som uch army local youth group. One thing we all enjoyed frequent camps and we sang all the way there and back. There were plenty of guitars and thoughtful people who shared their skills.
Jennifer, this is such beautiful advice. Praying your sweet girl will soon recover. Martha
Jennifer, thank you for this greatly comforting and uplifting message. I am sure there is not one person with whom this does not resonate deeply. I appreciate very much all that you do for your readers. Nancy
A beautiful & timely post today thank you dear Jennifer. I have been away down to Mums again & am only just catching up on your blog posts - erratic internet down there. The notebooks you made the little ones were so adorable. Thank you for all that you share my dear friend x0x0x 💙
Hi Jennifer, it's so true and I an relate to everything you say! Resting in His Presence brings times of true refreshment! X❤️😊
Jennifer, this is such beautiful advice Thank you for your kind, wise and most timely words
XX NB
Thank you for this post. It’s much needed right now. I have four children and since the beginning of October it has been one illness after another…I don’t think we’ve all been healthy for more than a week at a time. Colds, strep throat, stomach bugs and finally Covid. We had just recovered from Covid and I thought, maybe now we’ll have a break. But alas, I have been up more than half the night with my 6 year old who has another stomach bug. I’m depleted, especially as I’m still on the mend from Covid. Will you please pray for me and my family? I actually popped back to this post to reread it this morning to give me strength to get through the day ahead. I’ve read your posts for awhile and been much helped by them, but I’ve never commented. I just felt the need to tell you how much I appreciate your blog and ask for prayers. Thank you.
Andrea
Dear Andrea, I have been praying for you this morning, trusting our Lord is right there with you, as He always is...may you feel His strong arms carrying you, and His great love for your mother-heart and devotion to your family.
I pray He heals as only He can, and that you find rest comes miraculously.
Biggest hugs,
Jennifer
JENNIFER I REALLY NEEDED THIS.MY BABY GIRL WHO WAS 53 WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD ON THURSDAY THE 16TH.EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK YOU'RE PREPARED I WAS NOT. HER 2 GIRLS ARE HAVING A VERY HARD TIME. NO MOTHER WANTS TO OUTLIVE A CHILD.BUT I AM HAPPY BECAUSE I KNOW I WILL SEE HER AGAIN. SHE HAD SUFFERED FOR YEARS AND I KNOW SHE IS HEALTHY, HAPPY AND LOVED BEYOND WORDS AND IS AT PEACE WITH OUR LORD!! THERE ARE AO MANY VIRUSES GOING AROUND HERE ALSO.. I WILL KEEP YOUR FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS.. YOU TAKE CARE AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS SHARING THE LORD WITH US... JUDE IN CALFORNIA
May God bless her soul. I can't imagine loosing one of my children. My heart goes out to you. I leave you with prayers and quilty hugs from Florida.
As always, your posts give me peace. Thank you for gentle reminders in this crazy world.
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