Do You Need Some Sabbath?

  That empty bench under the shade tree is calling my name...

It's a question that has been on my mind and heart ever since our music pastor asked in choir practice, "Does anyone need some Sabbath?"  Of course, when he asked that question, my hand shot up right away.  I thought later that if I was being really transparent, both of my hands should have gone into the air.  Maybe I should have just stood up!

Of course, just this last Wednesday, he walked past me in the lobby when I was talking to a friend of mine and caught me yawning and said, "you need some Sabbath!".  Don't I know it...

So, I've been thinking on this a lot...and realistically, I know (and you know) that life isn't structured to have time to truly rest every day, so we have to create or schedule the time.  If your days are anything like mine, they're filled with responsibilities, to-do lists, and errands.  There is always something to do!  

I confess that on Sundays, I do take a nap after church and lunch.  My family has been so gracious to give me that quiet time so I can re-group for another busy week.  I've found that my body is programmed now to expect it and sometimes I am falling asleep at the table! 

I've been thinking though...how can I get some semblance of Sabbath during the week?  Is it even possible?  I think it is.  I'm referring to times other than your devotional and prayer time (although that works well too!).

I know life is busy and it carries me away nearly every day with everything I need to accomplish, so I'm trying to be realistic in my expectations.

What do you think about these ideas for taking some Sabbath, rest, time during your week? 

• Sitting on the patio and listening to the birds sing
• Reading a good book for 30 minutes
• 20-minute nap
• Sipping your favorite beverage without doing anything else at the same time
• A nice hot shower 
• Going to the library or bookstore just to browse 
• Coffee with a friend
• Sitting on the front porch and watching the people go by
• Playing a game with your children
• Listening to great classical music 
• Watching a 1/2 hour show 

These are things that appeal to me, but I'm sure there are many others you ladies could come up with...would you be willing to share? 

I'd love to hear how you incorporate some rest/quiet time into your week.

All my best to you today,

Thankfully, Grace DOES Tell Us Another Story

The enemy loves to tell us lies.  The enemy will tell us horrible, horrible untruths...whispering them into our hearts and minds constantly...and if we listen long enough to the wrong voice, we will believe those lies.  We will live like we believe those lies. 

I've listened to this song by Mercy Me so many times and yet today it spoke directly to my heart.  I heard these words today and thought of many loved and dear ones in my life right now who are hearing the lies...and believing them...because things are so rough and so sad right now in their lives that it's easier to listen to the untruths than to allow the Truth to shine through...this song is for them.  

The lyrics tell us, GRACE, embodied in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, tells us a different story than the world...different than the enemy.  Thank you Lord!

I love you dear friends and family...and I hope the Lord will comfort you today.  May you feel His hope and His love, His comfort, His strong arms around you somehow today.  May you hear His voice in your heart and mind and believe the Truths that He whispers into your heart through His Word and through the Words of others.

"Grace Tells Another Story"

They say don't waste your time You simply cannot find an ounce of good within the heart of man
they say we've got to lay in the bed we've made and live this life without a second chance but
I'm inclined to say there must be something more.

[chorus]
We've been told that the heart is just too far gone to save but grace tells us another story
Where glory sends hopelessness away oh grace tells us another story.

They say we cannot change there is no other way get used to it cause this is all there is they
say don't raise your voice cause we don't have a choice we're dealt this hand so learn to live
with it well i have to believer there must something more. [back to chorus]

And though we may not understand why You'd give us another chance we praise You who lets us
start again. [back to chorus]

 

All my best to you today,

How Has the Lord Shown His Grace to You?

Adults and children alike brought forward their Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes yesterday in service while a video played across the screens.  The video showed video clips and photos of children receiving these boxes and the smiles on their faces melted my heart.  Heather, our youngest daughter, took up her box along with her Daddy to the front of the church and placed it there with hundreds of others.  It was a sight to see all those boxes, knowing they would make their way around the world to a girl or boy who might not otherwise receive anything at all this Christmas.

Our pastor, Dave, put it this way - he picked up a single box and called it "a box of grace".  He went on to explain that these boxes hold toys, books, crayons, and other things, but most importantly they hold grace.  See, each box will contain all the wonderful things that each person included in it, but it will also contain a copy of the Gospel in the child's native language.  They will be able to read about what Jesus did for them on the cross.  They will have an opportunity to give their hearts and lives to Christ simply because someone chose to spend time and money putting together a small box of grace.

Dave's words tugged at my heart.  How many times do I worry about where we will get the money to fix the car, buy new shoes for our girls, or put milk into the refrigerator?  Not as often as some, I know.  But there are those months we try so hard and are so careful to be good stewards of our money, time, and talent and yet something else comes up and we are faced with an unexpected expense - one that will cause us to think about what we need to give up either this month or the next...and sometimes longer than that.

And yet...every time I worry or think that we aren't going to make it...the Lord shows us His GRACE!  We have never, ever, not had food on our table.  We have never gone without clothing.  We have a warm and clean home in which to live.  He has provided funds through a small job or gift card in the mail when we don't expect it.  And, despite the times we are wondering if we can provide for our own family, He shows us ways we can give to others.  That is the true blessing of it all!  

How has He done this?  It's been simple things like sales on canned goods in the grocery store so we can give to the Thanksgiving canned good drive.  It was a gift card in the mail to Meijer (groceries!) that I received simply for filling out a survey for the University of Dayton sometime over the summer.  I've found bits and pieces of fabric and such for amazing sale prices and I've supplemented those sales with fabric I already had on hand.  My parents graciously purchased Julie's winter coat for us this year!  Family members have handed us items that we were thinking of buying, but hadn't yet because of budget concerns.  There are so many other ways in which He has provided and allowed us to give to others and each time, it is like a blessing...a reminder that His Grace is sufficient for me if I will simply trust Him to take care of my every need and my every worry.

The children receiving the boxes in a few weeks...they have next to nothing and some of them face the very real possibility of not knowing where their next meal will come from each day.  They struggle with so much physically and I'm sure, emotionally.  These boxes are God's way of taking care of them and meeting a very real need - their need for Christ and His salvation.  When I think about that...I know in my heart of hearts that if we have Christ and His salvation, we have everything we truly need.  We have eternal life and can know that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life when we accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord!

My family - we are so very blessed - even during those times we feel stretched financially, emotionally, spiritually, or physically.  In reality, we have more than we need and maybe even more than we should.  I'm praying the Lord will continue to show us ways to give to others and to show His grace to us.  That is what I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving season and on this Multitude Monday.  His Grace.

Has the Lord shown His grace to you recently?  I'd love to hear about it!  Glorify Him with your testimony by linking up below!


Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...