Rest...

I hope this blog finds you well. As you see rest is my topic.  I don't claim to be an expert on the subject in fact rest is a difficult word in my vocabulary so I've been collecting some tidbits that I hope will give us some insight on our journey to rest.

One of my favorite Bible passages is Psalms 23. I like the whole passage but I am primarily focusing on the first 2 verses.  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside still waters.  I woke up thinking about why does the Shepherd make the sheep lie down?...so I went exploring and found that I like what Benson wrote in his commentary that the shepherd makes me to lie down - "not only to feed, but to rest and enjoy tranquility, peace, and safety; in green pastures - where there are both delight and plenty. The loveliest image afforded by the natural world is here represented to the imagination; that a flock feeding in verdant (rich in vegetation) meadows, and reposing (situated or kept in a particular place) in quietness by the rivers of water running gently through them It is select to convey an ideal of the provision made for the souls as well as bodies."  I Love that as Christ my Shepherd that I can trust Him to look out for me/us holistically as He provides food, water, and rest. So I would think you could agree that rest appears to be important. 

I am not sure about you but it is hard for me to rest.  For 11 years I worked full time, engaged with family, and worked on degrees so there wasn't much time to relax as there were family functions, research papers to write and more research papers to write, a demanding yet rewarding job, school activities for the girls, and church activities we participated in. Since 2010 I've been busy establishing a new career so needless to say rest hasn't been a high priority...until now. Yes,  I am learning as much as I want to help others my body is making me as my Goddaughter says, "take a rest." I have observed MarkyBoy, our furry son, as you can see in the photos has no problem taking a rest.  How are you when it comes to resting do you always feel you've got more to do than hours in the day?  You might consider assessing if you are getting the kind of rest the Shepherd is leading you to receive.  Are you resting in Him?  

Although radiation is completed I am still in recovery which is my motivation to physically rest. It's been a slow process....the body seems to working extra hard to heal and as we know healing takes time.  I am back to work 3 days a week with a day off to recover in between office days.  It is good to be, back in the office, seeing Clients as life is starting to feel more normal.    

Since I am all about makin memories I want to share some that I made over the past weeks.   
My sister and I celebrated a pretty big birthday this year and our family celebrated with us while we were at the beach.  It was only fitting that Mother join us for our picture.  Yes, Phyllis and I share the same birth date.  As a 9 year-old girl I prayed for a girl and for her to be born on my birthday.  In order for that to happen Mother had to be 2 weeks late and of course Mother was not agreeable to the plan, nonetheless, I was excited when my baby sister (Mother wanted a boy) arrived on my birthday and weighed in at 9lbs 14ozs and 23 inches long. For a long time I have thought she was ready to come earlier however, God chose to answer my request and He sure could not have done any better when He gave me Phyllis. Phyllis has always been a huge supporter of my endeavors.  When I needed help with childcare...she was there, needed boring (to her) research papers proofed...she was there, when I graduated...you got it she drove to Tampa...she was there.  I think you get the picture so it stands to reason she (and Mark) has been a huge support to me and my family while struggling through radiation and back to health. Saying thank you to Phyllis seems less than adequate so I hope she realizes she is truly a Blessing! 

It has been a family tradition for about 15 years....my parents invite us kids and our families to go with them to the beach and... the rooms are on them.  Love it!   So we make our annual pilgrimage to New Smyrna. This year I was able to capture some sweet photos of these two sweet Love Birds!  I love how they still love and are devoted to each other even after over 60 years.  They're a good example of what love and commitment is all about. From my observation 1 of their key ingredients for success, in spite of what they're physically going through, is they laugh a lot and sometimes at each other.  My Mother frequently says, "We are blessed" and I agree we are blessed beyond measure. I am thankful for them and their example. 


Last but not grandboy turned 1 Year Old!  It is hard to believe a year has already gone by.  He is my (Mimi's) sugar lump.  I love...love...love baby sugar. If you don't know what baby sugar is, it is...kissin babies on the cheek.  His cheeks are a little fluffy and he leans in to me as if he likes it as much as I love kissin him so it's a win-win for both of us.  Mason says Mama, Dada (when he's upset with his Mom), he's starting to walk. He makes eye contact when you call his name and he is a joy.  



I feel exceptionally blessed having you, my reader, as family or friend. I hope you are finding a balance between makin new memories and listening to the voice of the Shepherd who invites us or instructs us to rest. I think Bishop Gerald Doggett sums it nicely up for us, "It's important to learn the significance of resting in the LORD. It's that confident resting that can renew one's strength, and refresh the soul.  Such safety and security cannot be found except in HIM. Enjoy a blessed and secure day of resting in the LORD."  I am thinking that maybe we can learn to do both simultaneously make new memories and rest.  Love you-Big! 

Encouraging Scriptural Words: 
I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O Lord will make me dwell in safety.    Psalms 4:8

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.  Psalms 34:19

But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.                       2 Corinthians 12:9 

But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength.  They will fly high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

A merry heart does good like a medicine; but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22