Relax and Replenish

Happy Fall!!

Where I live, fall is in the air.  The air is crisp and the leaves started changing color overnight.  One day it was a green view, and the next morning colors starting bursting on the trees.  This is my favorite time of year.  The scenery is beyond amazing and it's time to bring out cozy sweaters. 

This year I decided to take the entire week off for Emily's fall break.  I normally take three days off but his year I decided I needed some extra time.  We always have our fall break planned down day by day so I thought it would be nice to relax and just enjoy the week.  I am so glad I took the break.  It does the body and soul good to just stop and take a breath. 

In Jeremiah 31:25 NIV God tells us, "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."  I certainly need to remember this when I let myself run on an empty tank.  This journey will test every aspect of our lives; emotional, spiritual, physical, and mentally.  It's not unusual to wake up and feel the weight of the world crushing us.  When this happens, you have to give yourself permission to take some time for yourself. 

Find what helps you to relax and renew your spirit.  Whether it's reading a book, watching movies, spending time with family and friends, or sitting by a body of water; find time to enjoy these activities.  God made us to enjoy the beauty in life and to live a life of abundance and joy.  Allowing yourself to enjoy activities and hobbies will help you relax and replenish. 

Something that I love to do is watch big birds soar in the sky.  I have big windows by my desk at work and I have had the pleasure of watching several big birds expand their wings and just glide in the wind.  I sit and imagine how peaceful and relaxing that has to be.   Watching them reminds me of a passage in Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV, "Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the Earth, He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I know being on this widow journey is hard, complicated, exhausting, and mentally and emotionally taxing.  But just know that the Lord is with you.  When you feel worn down, open your Bible and I encourage a great devotional and let the scriptures soothe your soul.  Let God's Word give you hope and joy.  Scripture will feel the void and lift you up. 

All you have to do is be still and trust!!  Our God is an awesome God!!!  Remember Psalm 46:10 NIV, "Be still, and know that I am God."

Lord I pray for a renewal of our bodies and spirit.  I pray that when we feel we can not go a step more, we reach out to you for that rejuvenation.  Only you Lord, can fill our souls and lift us to beautiful heights.  I pray over all of these beautiful widows and their families.  Lord I pray that they allow themselves to be refreshed!!!  In Your Sweet Precious Name I pray..Amen!!!

Unburden Youself

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"  Matthew 11:28 NIV


While Emily and I were shopping a couple of days ago, we found a few things that we needed and got in line to pay.  As we were waiting, I noticed the woman in front of me was struggling to get her money to pay for her purchases.  She finally had to put her purse on the counter to fish for her wallet.  Her purse was large and full to capacity.  I imagined how heavy that purse must be resting on her shoulders and how many times she has to shift it so that each shoulder got rest.  I thought about how that pain might radiate down her back at night once she got home to rest.  The burden of the weight of her purse has to affect her physically each day. 

Thinking about this, my mind shifted to the burden we put on ourselves everyday due to worries, anxieties, and fears.  We also can feel burden from grieving, addictions, brokenness, and sin.  The weight of only one of these symptoms can be overwhelming.  Most of us carry several of these around within ourselves every single day.  The weight can be crushing, suffocating. 

Do you feel like this?  Do you feel crushed by grief?  Does the fear of your future leave you feeling helpless, alone? 

Please know that you are never alone in your burden.  Always remember you do not have to walk this journey by yourself.  Not only do you have so many sisters that are walking this path with you; feeling the same pressures as you.  But know we have a Savior, King of all Kings walking beside us every second.  In Matthew 11:28 NIV Jesus says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 

What Jesus is saying here is for us to take those worries, anxieties, fears; our grief, addictions, sins, and brokenness and nail them to the cross.  Hand it over to Him and let Him carry the burden for you.  He will give your soul rest. 

Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 11:29-30 NIV, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

Jesus wants each of us to give Him all that weighs us down.  He wants to carry our burdens so that our yoke will be light.  When we give it all to Him and trust Him to work through us, we have more space in our souls for joy, peace, love, and patience.  We can then encourage others to follow our lead and show them how great God is!!!  He is the ultimate Counselor, Healer, Father!!

Do you want to lighten the load you carry around?  Give it all to Jesus!!  Trust Him to lift your burdens and you will not be weary one second longer.  Psalm 25:1 NIV, "In you, Lord my God, I put my trust."  Trust Him, cast all of your burdens!!

Lord, I pray that all of us right now lay all of our burdens at the foot of the cross.  I pray for rest for all of us as we give You are burdens.  Lord, You came to give life abundantly and I pray that all of us will lay down our burdens so our light yokes will allow for joy, love, and trust.  Thank you Lord for taking our burdens upon Yourself.  Your mercy and grace is astounding.  It's in Your Precious Name I pray, Amen!!