YOU ARE INVITED...to rest

Rest, now that sounds like a great idea - we could all use some of that - well I found a secret place to get rest. It's in a person - Jesus invites us to come...take...learn. He wants us to come to Him - not religion, not a book, not a place, not a relationship, not a ritual. In fact, the one thing that makes Christianity different than all other religions is that it is based on a personal relationship - none other can offer that. What a difference it makes to be invited to know "someone" instead of "some thing." I like that! Rules and working our way through religious stuff will never bring us rest - it only makes us more tired. He invites all who are "weary" - that's us - to come...weary from working hard to find fulfillment, working hard at life - working to overcome - working at difficult relationships - working to be perfect - whatever it is that we are working toward. He even invites the "heavy-laden" - those with an extra heavy burden on top of their weariness - I have been there - He invites us to come so that He can give us REST. Burdens are a part of life, that is for sure. But He has rest for us - we just have to respond to invitation number 2 - take my yoke - get in - He leads - it's a team approach to life with the One who created life, so He should know the way to navigate it, huh? He says it is easy - not life - but the yoke - it's because it means it is custom fitted just for you and me - not one size fits all, but fits you perfectly so it will not be difficult to wear. It is light because we are connected with Jesus, who will carry the load of life with us - when you are in the yoke you are definitely not alone. I like this team idea, that Jesus has chosen us to be on His team - we just have to get in the yoke! The third invitation is to learn from Him - let Him teach you - that can happen much easier when you are in the yoke - you just walk together, work together, love together, and learn - talk about mentoring!! God wants you to have rest - Now it did occur to me that we have an enemy who offers the same three invitations - "come, take, and learn from me," he says - so be careful where you go when you are invited. The results can be devastating...and eternal.

God promises rest for your soul, if you respond to the invitations. So RSVP and Come on in to Him - get in the yoke - learn from Him - if you are looking for me today - you will find me there.

Moms are amazing! My daughter-in-love cares for a little one year old who is suffering with seizures right now, while also caring for 2 other awesome little preschool age boys. She trusts by faith for God to see her through this time. Another friend has just had a new baby, when her house is full of little ones already - she is rejoicing, and so are we for her. A single mom continues day by day to faithfully minister to, guide, and care for her 4 children in a very difficult situation. A mom's light never really goes out; her heart is always tuned to give her life away. God's idea for moms goes way beyond what any of us have to offer, but not beyond HIS. He gave us such a powerful "mom's heart" when he made us. The first mom, Eve, was called "mother" before the first child had been seen or even imagined. She was called "Mother" before there was one...now that tells me something big! It was a calling - a destiny - a mandate on her, and therefore, our lives.
It may have been a hard day, a taxing day, a frustrating day for you. You may have gotten bad news or found out you were moving... or it may have been a glorious day at your house. All I know is that God wants us to embrace this calling of motherhood, knowing that He has given us everything we need to accomplish it...not in the way that the world might do it, but the way He would have us do it. Hug your children, value the relationships you have with them, call on the Lord to walk with you as you are a mother after His heart. Do not try to do it all - just do the "mom" part and rest well tonight because you have lived in your calling!

Never give up - keep moving forward

One thing I have come to in recent days, is that the circumstances of our lives can often lead us to times of being on pause, or hold. I have experienced that in recent years, where I just could not see what God was doing with my life and what He wanted me to do in response. I continued to do the daily things and took care of my family, but I withdrew and was quiet in my soul for a time. Quiet times are not bad if we contine to seek Him, the lover of our soul. They are rebuilding times; just like muscles take time to rebuild, so our hearts need the same. Hearts need time to replenish and rebuild. They must rest, rejuvenate, and be refreshed. I sense a new season coming my way as the winds have blown in Florida even the last day or so. How about you? I do not fully see it, but I know that there are parts of my heart, that have been dormant for a while, that are being restored and are coming alive again. Life includes many starts, much disappointment along the road, before we start again. It is a journey - not a sprint, but more like a marathon - with sharp turns, breakdowns, steep mountains trails, inclement weather, low valleys, but also sunny days, smooth roads, gentle breezes, and rolling hills. Stay on the path - keep on going - you may need to slow down but keep moving - that is what the Lord has shown me. I must keep moving ahead, watching for Him at every turn. He is there - in fact, He is traveling with you...he never leaves you, never forsakes you...never disappoints those who hope in Him - the journey with Him is different from other journeys. He brings joy to the journey - don't miss it - it might be rain, a flower, a child, a friend, a provision, a hope, a truth, a smile, a hug - watch for it - He is there - His joy is your strength for the next step you must take, but you are not alone in it!