Tag: friends

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #14

I love the concept of giving God a shout out for what He has done.

We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot. I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

pool toys

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

  • This week didn’t necessarily go as planned, but it still was good. Lydia had swimming lessons in the morning, and it kind of threw off our normal routine. Thanks to some flexibility, I was able to adjust my work hours. I cut out a few other activities, altogether, as I decided to keep a more simple schedule. Thus, I didn’t accomplish many “new” things, but I did catch up on some reading and a few podcasts I like.
  • I needed an extra dose of God’s grace this week for parenting… I am still considering what could have gone better (on both sides). At any rate, I am the parent. After several rounds of prayer, discipline, and “intense discussions,” I’m glad to report we ended the week on a positive note. We enjoyed good weather, played outside, and had pizza and good conversations with several neighbors. God is good!
  • I met with a friend at a coffee shop this week, though neither of us bought any coffee! It was late afternoon, and she had a lot on her heart. For some reason, I often end up crying as I listen to this friend share her story. Note to self: Remember to bring Kleenex next time! (It’s a little embarrassing, and this generally doesn’t happen with other people. But I just couldn’t keep it together…total ugly-cry!) This friend has been through many difficult things, yet she keeps moving forward with God’s help. The best thing I could offer was a listening ear and prayer afterward. But she seemed relieved after spending a couple hours together. She said, “Whew. It’s been a long time since I really sat down and had a chance to talk about all this.” I’m thankful for the opportunity to help my friend process God’s faithfulness to her and His grace in her life.

*******

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #13

I love the concept of giving God a shout out for what He has done.

We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot. I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

maple-leaf

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

  • This week was relatively low-key, though I accomplished a lot! In the quiet moments, I read some more about my personality type. It was fun to see how this impacted my choices, thoughts, relationships, etc. Our personalities work like a filter on how we see each the world.  However, it is most important who God says we are. (Click here for a great handout; I didn’t write it, but refer to it often!)
  • After a little prompting, I did something I had been putting off for at least a couple years: I bought some trees for my backyard! I hadn’t done it yet, partially because landscaping decisions have a long-term impact..so I was hesitant to make a quick decision. (For me, that often means delaying.) 🙂 Indeed, it was challenging to figure out all the details on my own! But after discussing my options with others, I was compelled to move forward with it.
  • I am thankful for God’s help in the tree process, because I struggled to make those decisions. Yet, God went before me and gave me peace! I researched trees I liked, measured the area, and made a list of questions. I looked at two local nurseries, and the choice was clear. One nursery had fewer trees in my price range and I could not find any staff to help me. The one I chose had a wide selection of trees, with a knowledgeable staff. And for an additional fee, they are going to deliver and plant the trees for me next week! It turned out to be fairly easy once I started the process. (I had some friends volunteer to help me, but I will have them help me with another upcoming project instead.)
  • It turned out to be an expensive week! In addition to the trees, I also got an oil change and some other timely maintenance done on my car. I questioned whether or not to bother with the extra maintenance. On the other hand, I know our gracious God blessed me with the car, and so it is my responsibility to keep it in good working order. Like a good steward, I spent the money wisely, knowing God is a good Provider. He always takes such good care of me, as I rest in His grace. Finally, the dealership did some extra work I requested at no additional charge.

*******

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #12

I love the concept of giving God a shout out for what He has done.

We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot. I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

full rainbow

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

    • On Monday, I went to an all-day women’s conference in Fargo. I wasn’t thrilled about sitting down for almost 10 hours, yet we had several breaks throughout the day, and this year was the best yet! Each speaker was so good; I enjoyed every minute. I even met a Registered Dietitian I have followed for years. So that was really cool! I’m so thankful for a 10-hour drop-in daycare and that Lydia is fairly flexible and enthusiastic in these situations. “Lydia, you will get to eat breakfast and lunch there…but I will pick you up before supper time.”  I packed her bag full of fun, healthy foods and she was set. “Oh, YES! I’m so excited!”
  • On Tuesday, I mowed the lawn. Not super exciting, but the forecast predicted rain all week and I wanted to stay on top of it. Then, I decided to water the grass because it was extra crispy. I haven’t watered the grass in three years, but since it is so early in the season, I needed to do something about it! Lydia played with the neighbors the entire time. We didn’t go to bed until after 9pm that night. It was so beautiful and sunny. We thoroughly enjoyed our time outside!
  • On Wednesday, I woke up sore from moving the water hose around the yard…only to see it raining. (I actually love a good rain storm and even saw a rainbow later!) Lydia had been hoping for rain all week so she could use her new Hello Kitty umbrella! So, we headed outside to walk around in the rain for a few minutes. Then, we stayed outside so Lydia could enjoy the experience. 🙂 Hey, life is short! She rode her bike in the rain, jumped in a large puddle, and picked clover “flowers.” We also played catch with a tennis ball. It was great to see her delight in such simple joys.
  • Friday afternoon’s weather brought a thunderstorm and a couple ‘little’ tornadoes in a neighboring town! Later, we spent the evening with my friend, Amy, and her family. Amy recently graduated from college and I am so proud of her. We were introduced by mutual friends, after our husbands died of cancer. We’ve been encouraged by each other over the last couple of years, as we have shared our stories. Amy has three young school-aged children and has worked so hard these last few years to provide for her family by pursuing (and finishing) her degree. College is difficult enough, but I cannot imagine doing it with kids. Like me, Amy has also relied on God to get her through. What a testament of His grace in her life… empowering Amy to do the impossible!
  • Today, Lydia and I had a special day together. We went to the Fargo zoo, had a picnic lunch at the park, had a tea party, painted her nails at home and few other activities. Our week was jammed with many fun and interesting activities, but these are the highlights. I am continually amazed to see how diverse our experiences have been each week. God is writing a wonderful story, and I am so thankful for His grace as I see it unfold day by day.

*******

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #11

I love the concept of giving God a shout out for what He has done.

We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot. I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

orchids

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

  • This week has been awesome. We’ve had visitors all week! First, my mom, aunt, and sister came for a few days. After they left, a dear friend from college came to visit for a long weekend. We all had a blast laughing, sharing our stories, shopping, and eating delicious food. It was a fun and fairly restful week, even though we all stayed up way too late enjoying ourselves! We had gorgeous weather, and I also enjoyed catching up with my neighbors outside.
  • My sister and brother-in-law gave me a beautiful orchid this week in remembrance of Dave. There are many different types of orchids—what variety! But I like the purplish/fuschia ones the best. (My sister didn’t know it, yet that’s the one she gave me!) I think they are so pretty! I am amazed at how delicate they are, yet their blooms last for longer than many other plants.
  • Yesterday (Friday), my friend and I went to a ‘junk market’ where we perused vintage, antique, and up-cycled items. We saw many interesting objects, and I found a couple small heart magnets for the fridge. Lydia got some hair clips from someone who also has an online Etsy shop. I also bought some locally made raspberry and strawberry jam! As we walked around, I thought about how God remakes us to be more like Him. We are His masterpiece. We each have a unique, God-given purpose—He doesn’t make mistakes. He restores us and makes all things new! (see Ephesians 2:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17)

*******

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #9

I love the concept of giving God a shout out for what He has done.

We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot. I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Mother's Day 2016

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

  • This week oozed with grace. And I certainly felt the need. At every turn, I felt God calling me to let Him handle my concerns. Previously, I would have felt overwhelmed by all the items on my “should-do” list. This week, I purposefully delayed some of those tasks, which included postponing a writing deadline by two days.
  • I was consistently pulled in many directions this week. You too?! But, I laid aside my work to play My Little Ponies and Barbies so as not to miss important moments with Lydia. Yes, she can entertain herself much of the time, but I know these opportunities to connect with her won’t always be there. Someday I will wonder where the time went. Lord, help me stay present!
  • The weather actually got up in the upper 80s/low 90s a couple days this week!! Hot and windy! Lydia and I enjoyed picking up some mulch and other items at a local store. I also bought my first LED lights for inside, so hopefully, I won’t have to constantly change light bulbs. However, I recently changed several around the house, so it might be awhile before I get to use the new LED ones! At any rate, I am thankful for a wonderful house and simple fixes to keep it up and running.
  • Just in time for Mother’s Day, I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my parents on Lydia’s behalf. They came on a day I was frustrated with that pesky “should-do” list. Perfect timing. Lydia surprisingly denied having anything to do with the flowers. Still, I snapped a cute photo (above) of her holding them! 😉
  • In addition to the lovely flowers, I received a handful of thoughtful and heartwarming cards in the mail from close friends and family, acknowledging me as a single mom. Kindness counts. Lydia obviously isn’t able to do much in the ways of gifts, nor do I expect them. But, I love words of affirmation. Thank you to all who sent me encouraging notes!
  • And thanks for reading my Wednesday post, Because He Is Good. I appreciated all your comments and shares—I am eternally grateful that our gracious God redeems our pain and makes beauty from our mess. Even when our plans go awry, He makes all things work out for our good and His glory (see Romans 8:28).

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Because He Is Good

With the flip of the calendar, here we are in May! I love spring in general, but it is a little bittersweet as we near the third year mark of my late husband’s death. Over the last couple weeks, I have been praying about this upcoming anniversary.

Once again, the Lord has come through for me in ways only He can. I had coffee with a friend who reaffirmed me on a day I was feeling down. I also ran into several friends at church, and each time, God used them to lift me up with encouragement. In all these instances, I didn’t mention I was sad. But it was reassuring to see how God met my need. He is so good to me!

1361914238347

Dave was thirty-four when he died, which is far too young. He was diagnosed after an emergency surgery in May 2012. He died 364 days later. It was a wild and chaotic year, but God was ever-faithful.

This spring, I am a little sad, yes.

But mostly, I am still so proud of Dave after all these years. I admire how he handled his cancer with grace and courage. I’m grateful he did not give up.

Some people may think that God let me down because Dave died. Yet, I do not feel that way. In fact, I saw God do so much more than we could ever dream. He answered big, audacious prayers and small, silent ones. It was an awful situation, no doubt. But, God was so kind and generous.

Already Stage IV, Dave’s prognosis wasn’t great at the start, but God gave us those 364 days anyway. Some people get longer, but we relished every moment we had together. I’m thankful Dave didn’t have to suffer any longer than that because it got to be pretty intense those final weeks…

Psalm 46_1

What’s more, I’m so grateful for all God taught us that year. Dave had a servant’s heart like no other, but realized he couldn’t out-give God. He learned to rest in Jesus’ sacrifice because we can’t earn God’s grace.

For me, perhaps the lessons felt much more dramatic. Emotional roller coaster is an understatement. Our cancer journey brought out some of my worst traits. And trust me, I could be a bear at times! But, God’s grace and mercy were more than enough even then.

God provided wonderful friends who helped us, often with little advanced notice. He provided extra comfort for the worst days and gave us many joys along the way. As Dave himself said, it was a “phenomenal year.”

God used these extreme circumstances to prove that He is bigger than my fears. Every. Single. One. That alone was one of the biggest breakthroughs in my life.

He set me free indeed! What grace!

Can you believe these last three years have been some of the most fruitful years of my life? It’s not been easy, though God is redeeming my pain. He has rebuilt my life from the ashes. And because He is good, I am still standing!1 Corinthians 15_57I don’t know what you are dealing with today. Maybe everything is peachy keen. But, likely it’s not. If you are struggling with something, take it to Jesus. Let Him be your refuge and strength, your righteousness and your defense—He understands exactly what you need.

You simply cannot figure out every detail and outcome of your life. Believe me, I know! But if you place your trust in Jesus alone, He will lead you through it all. Let Him be your peace. He will bring you to Victory!

God loves you and is for you! Yes, life is hard. It doesn’t always turn out like we want. But God can handle everything that concerns you. And ultimately, if your hope is in Him, you will not be disappointed!

I know that full well.

**********

God, great is Your faithfulness! Thank You for being a trustworthy refuge. When we are afraid, may we place our hope in You. We overcome and have Victory, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How has God come through for you lately? How can I pray for you?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #6

I love the concept of giving God a shout out for what He has done.

We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot. I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

robin

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

  1. This week I felt like a social butterfly. I had many great conversations and connections with a wide variety of people…on the phone and in person. One day, I met a friend to catch up. We’ve both been through a lot these last few years. I was so glad to hear what God has done in her life lately. God is so good!

2. Monday evening was spent with other friends, celebrating the job relocation of a dear couple. It was bittersweet, but it is always amazing to see how God directs us on new paths. He weaves our stories together, and then moves us on to learn, grow, and impact a new set of friends.

3. My monthly MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group met this week. These ladies have been good to me, and I have learned so much from them. MOPS was a real lifesaver for me those first several months as a single mom. I appreciate discussing motherhood and parenting challenges in a warm and welcoming place. I’m thankful for the friendships I’ve made there. Lydia always begs to go back too, so that’s a bonus!

4. Today, I saw a robin hopping around my yard. We had a very mild winter this year, and robins are rather basic birds. But, I consider them one of the first signs of spring. Growing up, a pair of robins nested in our tree house each year. Each spring, we watched the bright blue eggs hatch and the little birds grow!

Three years ago, when Dave was so sick, we had a very long winter (with snow even into May). Seeing robins back then gave me hope in that dark time.

God never fails to bring the spring!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #5

I love the concept of giving God a shout out for what He has done.

We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot. I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

tulips

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

  1. This week was unusual in that I got a new water heater on Monday! But first, I had to “rough it” for a few days. I was so grateful for God’s provision. Be sure to read all about it in ‘Water Heater Heroes’.

2. On Monday, Lydia and I saw a friend from church at the bookstore in the mall. She helps with the children’s ministry and knows Lydia. She gladly helped us find a Phillips, Craig & Dean CD, which Lydia has been asking for since we saw their Christmas concert in December. We have since enjoyed singing many of the familiar songs.

3. Starting with the new water heater, this week turned out to be heavy in the home improvement area. (Nothing else major, and I am thankful for simple fixes.) Several electronic items, from games to tv remotes, needed new batteries. Light bulbs always need replaced, and many of them are difficult to reach. This week it’s a light in the garage door opener. I’ll have to ‘phone a friend’ since I can’t figure out how to get the cover off. While light bulbs are relatively minor, I am thankful for the kindness of others!

4. This week, I needed an extra dose of God’s grace for parenting. Yes, I lost my temper a few times when Lydia was being disobedient or not listening. Later, I apologized, but God gently reminded me to lay aside my agenda and play with Lydia or read to her. We enjoyed finding hidden objects in a picture book, reading together, and talking about our day. Many times, Lydia said spending time together was her favorite part of the day!

5. This year, I’m focusing on implementing more rest in my daily and weekly routine. It’s still a struggle at times to stop and take a break, but I managed to soak my sore feet while reading. (Yay, me!) Lydia was very interested in this, so I let her try it out too. She loved it! Interestingly, it opened up dialog about being a servant to others, and I explained the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet (see John 13). I was thankful for the opportunity to show-and-tell my little girl about Jesus.

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #1

Up until now, I have only posted once a week. However, there are often weeks where something special happens that I would love to share. But if it doesn’t fit with my basic “theme” for the month, I just skip over it. Yikes! 😮

My friend, Katie, at My Joy In Chaos, recently posted about where she found joy in her week. I love the concept of giving God a shout out for what He has done.

We don’t do that nearly enough!

So, I’ve decided to do the same thing…but with grace. Each weekend, I’ll recap a few places where I found grace in my week. It will be a slightly different format from my Wednesday posts. My goal is to give God glory and not over-edit. Yes, there’s a huge amount of grace in the rough, uncut moments of our daily lives!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Grace is also defined as God’s unmerited favor. I often find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

daffodils

So, where did I find the richness of God’s love and favor this week? Where did I see His abundant grace?

1. Lydia’s last gymnastics class was this week. I mentioned to a dear friend it was Parent’s Day at gymnastics, and she asked if she could come too. This friend has been a huge blessing to us over the years, helping watch Lydia and encourage us. I was so thankful she thought ahead, wanted to celebrate Lydia, and kept me company with all the other parents.

Thank You, God for the good friends You have given us!

2. I received God’s grace after Lydia asked me for help learning some letters. I told her to start tracing the ones she knew; I’d be there “when I was finished” with my own project.

Well, after sitting there for awhile (ahem), she repeated her request. A few minutes later, I left my project unfinished to sit with her. I noticed Lydia had such joy and excitement to learn. She even hugged me, saying, “You’re the best mom!”

It was a humbling reminder to remember to put first things first. I won’t always have that time with Lydia, nor does she always think I’m awesome!

3. I saw God’s grace when I took Lydia to drop-in daycare twice in one day for two separate meetings. I actually had to skip another event in lieu of the second meeting. A coworker suggested trying out a second drop-in place—to give me another flexible option. Lydia loved it, and I was thankful for God’s grace during my day.

The next morning, Lydia asked to stay home. I ‘agreed’ since we had been out late the night before. She exclaimed, “I’m glad we don’t have to go anywhere today!”

4.We enjoyed the beautiful weather…Lydia went on a pretend camping trip with her stuffed animals, complete with high heels and tiara! I was glad to be able to see her imagination at work! I also worked on some projects, read some books, and finally got to that dusting I’ve been putting off! 😉 !

5. My mom recently had surgery to replace her right knee. She had the left one done in the fall. I was honored to post updates on her Facebook page. It is amazing to see how her friends have rallied around her to visit, bring meals, encourage her, pray for her, etc. She is an awesome example of grace to me. And, my parents are great examples of how to serve others. It is wonderful to see God’s grace in the healing process. God is so good!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him! (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Wisdom

A Lovely, Unexpected Retreat

This past weekend was Valentine’s Day. Normally, at this point, I wouldn’t give it another thought. Historically, Dave and I didn’t do much because the recent holiday season also included his birthday and our wedding anniversary. We might’ve watched a movie or made tacos, but nothing over-the-top.

But, God surprised me this weekend with what felt like a Valentine’s retreat! He rearranged my schedule and I enjoyed a much slower pace as a result. As a busy single mom, it felt like a getaway—even though we stayed home—and was just what I needed.

lake and chairs

Jesus said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG).

On Friday, friends came over to visit. When we spoke the day before, I mentioned an important meeting I had planned. Thus, our time together would be limited. But, we decided to squeeze in a play date anyway.

Well, for reasons outside my control the meeting was rescheduled and our friends were able to stay longer. We enjoyed catching up and our girls played so well together. After that, Lydia and I ran some errands. While we were out, our neighbors invited for us over for an impromptu dinner/play date.

That also was refreshing—and we stayed there about two-and-half hours past Lydia’s bedtime. After we walked home, Lydia helped me finish some laundry. She cheerfully exclaimed, “It’s my job to help you fold the laundry!” And, I don’t even think she was trying to get out of going to bed!

relax-stone

Thus, on Friday, we spent about seven hours with two dear families. I think we all were encouraged that day. I went to bed in awe that God would arrange such a lovely day on my behalf. I rarely allow the opportunity to just sit and relax. (I’m working on that!) It was completely unexpected, and I didn’t realize how much I needed that down time. I was also thankful for the community God provided during a (potentially) bittersweet weekend.

Because of Friday’s change of plans, I incidentally had more free time on Saturday too. I took Lydia out for lunch after she passed her very first series of ice skating lessons. After sticking it out for six weeks, I was so proud! Lydia was proud too and sighed with relief, “I’m so glad I passed that class!”

That afternoon, we watched a movie, read books, completed puzzles, and even took a short nap. Then, I called a few friends and family like I normally do. I enjoyed each moment!

On Sunday, we stayed home and rested. It has been months since I lounged all day and did nothing in particular—not even chores. It was peaceful with few interruptions! I did prepare meals for the upcoming week, but even then, I enjoyed the creative outlet. And, it didn’t feel like work!

books

Lately, I have been busier than my normal for this time of year. I have several good ongoing commitments and projects—but they require lots of energy. Ironically, by resting during our little unexpected staycation/retreat, I feel renewed in my focus. It was delightful to realize God had a wonderful weekend all planned out! I felt so special to Him!

If you are overwhelmed with life or even frustrated with a project, consider pausing and reevaluating your schedule. Is there something you can postpone or remove?

It’s worth taking a break because REST is a part of Restoration!

**********
Heavenly Father, thank You for restoring my soul with a peaceful Sabbath. Thanks for Your loving grace that covers me. Help me implement more rest and relaxation so I don’t get burned out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: How long has it been since you last took time to rest and relax? What personal benefits could be found in choosing a slower pace?