Rest!

Rest; a dream I used to dream of; yet a reality I didn’t understand.  I am used to life being very busy. I work part time, I am a full time student, I also volunteer at my church, and of course take care of things at home. I would fantasize for years about what life would be like to just rest.  I would imagine doing nothing or going on long walks. I loved the idea of not having homework stressing me out and deadlines to meet but to just Live. Well, as it turns out God granted me that wish. He gave me the summer off of school so now I just work three days a week. Long before the school semester ended I felt God calling me to rest. He was clear with it as he usually is when he asks me to do something. I thought this was a wonderful idea ……at first.

The first week was great. I cleaned my house, read my bible, caught up with old friends. I enjoyed my week. The second week however was a little different. Cleaned my house, read my bible, most my friends were working, did some errands, went to moms, and got it all accomplished Tuesday before noon. Day two of the second week and I was ready to lose it. I was restless. A funny thing happens when your brain has nothing to stress about, it stresses about the lack of stress. I know this seems crazy but it’s true. I was going bananas!! Consequently I hurried on to the computer to see if I still had time to register for summer classes. I had to fix this problem. There was just no way I could not do anything for three months!! As I sat and logged in to the school site God gently asked me “Tara, what are you doing? This looks an awful lot like your taking matters into your own hands as you normally do, and not trusting me.”  Yep! I thought. That’s exactly what I was doing. God, you know my mind and I can’t handle doing nothing.  Except he didn’t ask me to not do anything this summer he asked me to rest. AAAAAHHHH Lord what does that look like? As I mentioned above, I am used to go go go, rest is such a foreign word to me. If God wants me to rest I need him to show me what that looks like. So instead of registering for school I prayed. I prayed a lot.

The next day a dear friend posted a blog about resting. Thank you lord!! She said rest comes from being in His presence! Just like that, God showed me what rest looks like. God isn’t asking me not do anything this summer, he is asking me to spend more time (just me and him) in his presence. In His throne room. And what an honor!! Through his son Jesus Christ I have unlimited access to the throne room.  He showed me that with my busy life I can often miss things. I’m too busy running to see him in everything but he’s there. He is omnipotent aka all over, before time, after time, beginning to the end, God is present.  He is calling me to pay attention. To rest in His presence. To enjoy His presence. To listen instead of always talking. The truth; he loves me so much he is asking to bring me closer to him this summer! What an amazing revelation!!! And to think, I almost missed it by registering for school. 

“Be still and know that I am God” psalms 46:10.  I know that he is God, but during this time God is saying to me, “My child, truly get to KNOW me, who I am. Spend time with me! It will change your life forever.”

God~

Thank you! Thank you for your wisdom spoken through a friend. Thank you for answering prayer and confirming your will towards us. I know how feeble minded I am and I love how you just gently remind me time after time. Thank you for your patience with me. Lord as your showing me to enjoy and rest in your presence I pray for a new experience with you. Help me to grow so close to you. Help me to feel your heart beat. Lord, slow my mind down to where I only hear you and your will. Help me to lay my life down so that you can dwell within me. Thank you again father for Jesus precious Blood which makes this all possible. I love you lord!

Amen