Soul Food
“Let my soul be at rest for the Lord has been good to me” (Psalm 116:7).
Every so often, Hugh and I sleep in on a Saturday (of course, with three young children, sleeping in means we get up at around 9:00). I go make coffee, throw some breakfast at the kids, and then Hugh and I settle in on the couch for about three hours, sipping coffee as the conversation flows and the cups empty.
I love these mornings. Mornings when I make a choice not to hit the ground running, immediately aware of the twenty to thirty things I must accomplish before the end of the day. Am I really that important?
Every so often, I decide to have a completely spontaneous day with my children. To have no agenda other then to enjoy them. Yesterday I went to a giant indoor bouncy playground for almost four hours. I was completely relaxed while my children ran around and I talked with wonderful women from my church. I didn’t clean the house, I didn’t call or email anyone back. I was just a relaxed mommy.
I love these days. Why are they so rare?
Every few months, I set up time to get away to be with God for an extended period of time. Maybe it’s an afternoon at the prayer room or (if I really need to seek the Lord and spend a long time in His Presence) overnight by myself at a bed and breakfast. During these times, I feel myself letting down and relaxing with Jesus – letting go of all the things I “should” do, and just enjoying Him.
I need these times. Times of letting go of the busyness that always seems to hunt me down, yelling at me about urgent things that, upon reflection, have very little eternal value. Times of rest for my soul where I focus on the Lord or my family.
And I am realizing that I need to be purposeful (SO purposeful) about making these moments happen. If I don’t, then they will not happen, and I find myself running on empty. Again.
So I will be at rest this day – for the Lord has been good to me.
Lord, you have been so good to me. Set me free from the false busyness of my life and help me to focus on the things that really matter. I love you.
You hit the nail on the head. You can’t sit back and say, “I’ll get to it as soon as ‘this’ is done.” You have to MAKE it happen.
I just checked out a book called “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” from the library because this very thing has been on my mind this week. Thanks for sharing this.
Hey Jess I am so affected by Mary Beth’s and Your blog’s (corrrect grammer?) that I am in tears. I need the love and fellowship and the DEEP comradery of women like you right now. I am so excited that we are going to start the momtourage thing. I need the opportunity to be transparent. Life is not easy for me (Satan is really taking advantage of that) and I know that God is calling for me to step on Faith and head on that new journey that he has awaiting for me. I love you and You know i love Amanda, and as long as I have known Mary Beth we have never shared and I am so excited to have that opportunity! Love Corrie
Ok that’s IT. I’m adding you to my favs. Thank you for being a triple blessing for me today. ((hugs)) ((hugs)) ((More hugs))