REST

JOURNEY TOWARDS REST…

Join me as I learn how to “rest” this year.  I write about “rest” under Strengthening Your Core, coming up in the March issue, and how this journey began.  Come walk with me as I journal and learn what it means to walk in His rest…daily. 

The other day…I literally rested…physically. It wasn’t intentional, it doesn’t come naturally, but I often feel the need for it.  I just am too busy, too full, to grab a nap.  While I was working, I got very sleepy and put my head on a small pillow for what I thought would be 15 minutes, at the most.  Two hours later, I awoke.  I’m pretty sure I haven’t napped this long since I was a child.

I know that physical rest results in a better attitude, better health, and better ability to think clearly and logically.  It’s just so hard for me to do.  God rested after he created the world, and this is mentioned in the very beginning of the Bible.  So rest must be important!

Thank you Lord for the nap today; which I so desperately needed, but was unable to acquire.  You just gave it to me – restful sleep.  For that, I am grateful. And my body thanks you too!

REST awaits us...

VDay

Valentine’s Day:  The day of expectation to be shown love, the day women dress up to seduce their lover, the day of anticipation of the romantic dinner by candlelight.  Do you still hope for these things, or have you given up?

What will you wear today? Something red?  

How will you react today if your expectations are not fulfilled?  Will you laugh…or will you cry?

The last chapter in Proverbs describes noble character in a woman and one of the verses near the end says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

Before you go too far today, ask HIM to clothe you and give you joy.  Then anything that happens during the day, or doesn’t happen, won’t ruin your clothes nor your countenance.

Happy Valentine's Day - HE loves you!  Let the joy of knowing this fill you with joyful laughter as HE takes delight in HIS beloved!

Quarrelsome

Proverbs repeatedly says something like it’s better to live on the corner of a roof than below with a quarrelsome wife.  I note that not once does it mention a quarrelsome husband.  Oh there are plenty of verses for the men…but this one speaks to women.

One definition of quarrelsome is the word “cantankerous.”  That pretty much describes those of us who get up in the morning, finding fault with everything our husband does or doesn’t do.  It describes the times when we don’t feel well, we’re tired, or we’re irritable and we let everyone in the house know about it – and somehow we blame it all on him.  I suppose that would define a quarrelsome wife, at least a little.

I’ve been guilty of being a quarrelsome wife, but thankfully my husband has never retired to the corner of our rooftop.  But it might have been better if he had.  At least he wouldn’t hear my accusations, my disappointments with him, and my constant dripping of complaints.

I want my husband to enjoy living with me, underneath the roof, out of the rain.  I want to see him the way “He” sees him, and when I do – I know I won’t be a quarrelsome wife – but rather a wife of honor.

A Home

Proverbs 24 says this, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

If your house is built on a foundation of loving God with all your heart –

that’s wisdom.

If you understand that God is the head of your home and He will handle everything that arises (including your husband) –

your home will be established.

If you love your children, serve your household, and take joy in doing so – those are rare and beautiful treasures –

what an inheritance for your kids.

Planning

February 11, 2013

I don’t know about you, but I’m a planner.  I have plans for our future, for the way I want my house to look, for trips and vacations, for all sorts of things – I enjoy planning!  In fact, half of the fun in taking a trip is in the planning (in my opinion, of course!)  So we all have “many” plans.

However, even the best of our plans are not always the best plans.  Plans get changed, they fail, or sometimes we lack enough wisdom and understanding – and they just don't work!

Proverbs 19:21 says we all have many plans…”but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Do you know what “prevails” means?  It means to prove more powerful than opposing forces.  So God’s plans and purposes for us are set in motion, and when we walk with Him, NOTHING can thwart those plans.  He prevails!

I don’t know about you, but I want to succeed in my planning and I hope my plans work out well. But I KNOW His plans will work out well, even when I can’t understand His thinking. 

Many are my plans, but magnificent are His plans.

Discipline

February 10, 2013

In Proverbs 19 it speaks of disciplining our children.  In the New Testament it speaks to fathers, saying not to provide your children to wrath.  So wherein lies the balance?

Discipline requires training, and according to definition it requires punishment for disobedience.  Training requires living a life before our kids that they can follow.  Punishment requires loving them enough to give out consequences when they purposefully don’t do what they’re told.

The verse in Proverbs says that in disciplining our children “there is hope” and implies that if we do not discipline, we become a “willing party to their death.”

Discipline in love.  That’s the key.  Go to God in prayer and look at yourself first, and ask “Was I clear in my instructions?”  “Have I set forth a good example?” 

If the answer is “No,” go to your kids and ask forgiveness.  If the answer is “Yes,” then ask God for wisdom in how to discipline with love, for in doing so you become a “willing party to their life!”

Listening

Listening is an art.  It really is.  I’m not talking about listening to gossip, endless complaining, or filth.  I’m referring to listening to someone speak before formulating an answer to be given.

I’ve found that when I’m thinking of an answer - I’m already not listening.  And Proverbs says to answer before listening is “folly” and “shame.” Those are strong words.

Answering before listening implies that we already know the rest of what the person talking is going to say, we have the answer, and we’re going to tell them so they can quit talking.

Listening is an art.  

It requires soft brush strokes, beautiful colors of love, and the ability to stand back and think creatively before ever saying a word.