God Give Me Rest!

Faith & Hope

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I love this photo of my son. He was about 2 months old at the time it was taken and every time I see it, the phrase God, give me rest! comes to mind.

I felt like that for the first 10 months of Gideon’s life. I had ZERO rest- and not just the normal, tired-new-mommy-no-rest. I mean NON-EXISTENT rest. If you’ve ever had a colicky baby or an infant with a disability, then you probably have an idea of what I’m talking about.

Gideon didn’t sleep day or night. They told us he was just colicky, but as we now know, he just had genetic disorder that wouldn’t allow him to sleep… EVER!! Throw a three year old into the mix and you have the perfect setting for a Lifetime drama show were the mom loses her marbles.

This idea of REST is fresh on my mind because of my P31 workout class. REST is our focus for this week and our verse is from Psalm 37:7

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You may not have a child like mine- where after 10 months, you finally just close the door and shut the monitor off. But chances are you’ve experienced a season of ZERO rest. It could be a result of problems at work or home; or maybe you’re not resting because you’re in a constant state of stress or anxiety. But no matter what you’re going through, you need rest.

Did you catch that? Let me emphasize it again- YOU NEED REST. It’s a true necessity. In fact, we’re called to rest.

During our devotion this morning, Jamie (my P31 workout instructor), reminded us that God spent 6 days creating and on the last day he rested. If you were raised in church like I was then you probably know all too well that he rested on the 7th day. It’s an easy Bible trivia fact. But have you ever thought about why He rested?

God didn’t (nor does He now) NEED the rest, but He knew we would. So He did what every parent does (or should do)… He set the example anyways.

He knew you’d be enduring this loss.

He knew you’d get this diagnosis.

He knew you’d be facing this season of uncertainty.

He knew you’d NEED rest. 

I hope you’ll join me and take at least 10 minutes today (and every day) to find a quiet place to just rest- no electronics, no loud noises, no thoughts about your to-do list… Just find time today to turn it all off, sit back and REST.

Maybe pray something like this as you do…

God, I’m so weary and so worn out. I’m carrying the weight of the world right now and it feels like I’m never going to overcome this mountain. Thank you for allowing me to lay it all down at the foot of the cross so I can be free from the weight I bear. I’m trusting in You.

God, give me rest.  

 

4 thoughts on “God Give Me Rest!”

  1. Thank you for the reminder- I’ve had a house of sick kids for 2 weeks and I’ve been ignoring my (finally diagnosed) bronchitis and sinus infection all during my first trimester with baby #3. My mother offered to pay for a babysitter to come a couple of hours this week to help and I took her up on her offer. I feel guilty going upstairs alone while the kids are home and dirty dishes are in the sink but I haven’t been sleeping and my body was telling me to slow down. Your posts are always so beautifully written and so helpful. Thank you…

    1. Thank you Elizabeth! I’m glad you’re getting some help so you can get the rest you need. It was very hard for me to ask others to help (especially because all I wanted them to do was watch the kids while I slept). It’s amazing how many people were so pleased to serve me (us) in this way. I highly recommend making this a normal practice (at least two-three times a month…even if you’re not sick!!) I hope you feel better soon and I hope you get the rest you need! 🙂 God bless you and yours!

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