Come and Rest Awhile
I sat at my desk to write a post, but the words felt stuck… So I wandered over to see which posts are being read these days. God Whispers, “Rest, My Child” from 7 years ago was well ahead of other posts. Perhaps because so many people are aching for “rest?”
What especially strengthened me again is:
“God sweetly whispered, “Rest, My child.” An understanding filled me that sometimes I have to rest in spirit, too. To rest from being vulnerable in my writing. To give myself a break from those deep emotions that ravage my soul. To just stop and soak in how God still faithfully brightens life with His blessings, even in the midst of all the death, darkness, and pain in this world.
…There is a time for being vulnerable, but too much too often can tax us emotionally. We need to also allow ourselves to step back sometimes, to nurture our minds and spirits, to let the fuel of God’s love and grace replenish us again.”
God knew I needed that reminder. These last couple of years, writing more vulnerably seems to pull the plug on my energy.
Do you ever feel this way? God doesn’t expect us to do what others may be able to do, and we don’t need to beat ourselves up over not writing as much. We can be more hard on ourselves than God ever is. There are different seasons during the course of our lives, and sometimes we can be in a season where we need extra rest in body, mind, and spirit. And that’s okay.
🦋 God Whispers “Rest, My Child” 🦋
Then Jesus said,
“Come to Me, all of you
who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NLT
“In place of our exhaustion and spiritual fatigue, God will give us rest. All He asks is that we come to Him… that we spend a while thinking about Him, meditating on Him, talking to Him, listening in silence, occupying ourselves with Him – totally and thoroughly lost in the hiding place of His presence.” ~ Chuck Swindoll
“How sweet is rest after fatigue! How sweet will heaven be when our journey is ended.” ~ George Whitefield
Nature Retreat
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ~ John Lubbock
One of the ways God revitalizes me is by immersing myself in His amazing creation. Even nature photos refresh my spirit. It’s always a special treat when my brother shares his photos. 🙂
I also love to take nature photos. It’s one of the past times that relaxes me. Here are some photos I took in NW Arkansas when we had a short vacation this month.
What does God use to replenish,
revitalize, and refresh your spirit?
Freed to Fly 
Hi Trudy! I always love it when you pop into my inbox. As a world, we crave rest but it also goes against what the world puts its value on. Thank you for the reminders of rest. Your brother’s photos are always amazing. You also captured such beauty through your own photos.
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“As a world, we crave rest but it also goes against what the world puts its value on.” So true, Mary. Thank you for pointing that out and for your kind encouragement. May we lean into Jesus and find the rest we really need!
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Gorgeous photos, Trudy, and such a thoughtful post! Yes, we all need to rest from our labors and allow God to refresh us. Resting quietly in His presence is a healing balm.
Blessings, my friend!
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Blessings to you, too, Martha! Yes, resting quietly in His presence is truly a healing balm! May our hearts truly receive His gracious invitation!
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I love the photos, Trudy! Looking at the beauty of God’s creation definitely helps me to rest and remember how amazing he is. I also appreciate the reminder that rest is not a waste of time. Even when we are busy (especially when we are busy!) it is so important to try to find those moments.
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It’s so comforting to look at His beauty and remember how amazing our Creator is, right, Lesley? May we find those moments to rest in Him and His faithful character!
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Trudy, the topic of rest is never outdated. Especially in this time, so much in our world pulls from us, leaving us depleted. I’ve had a busy internal summer if that makes sense, and I’m ready for rest. I loved your thoughts on it. And I loved all your photos. That chapel is beautiful! My son is attending college somewhere in that area of Arkansas. Sending you love and blessings, friend.
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That totally makes sense, Jeanne, that you had a busy “internal” summer. I’m certain all the transitions in your life are so difficult. Seeing our “baby” leave our nests is never easy in itself and then there is so much else that can deplete us, too. Sending you love and blessings back, friend! May God give you strength in the unknown future and give you the grace to be kind to yourself and allow yourself the rest you need!
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Sometimes God uses posts like this one to replenish and refresh my soul.💖
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Aww, that’s so kind of you, Sheryl. It refreshes my heart that your soul is replenished and refreshed. I’m sorry your dad went through ALS. That had to be so heartbreaking. May God give you the strength, courage, and wisdom to write that book!
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Thank you.. I am going to need!
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Oh Trudy once again you’ve touched my soul right where I so needed it. I was just texting with another friend yesterday about how this season of writing is so slow for me–even emails or texts have to be shortened some days. I’m so grateful for your encouragement to see His presence in the call to rest. Blessings love and hugs to you dear sister.
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I often think of you, Bettie, and hope and pray God is gently carrying you through. I’m so grateful you are encouraged to see His presence in the call to rest. Know that even though your writing is slow and I do miss your posts, what you have written still leaves a heartwarming place in my heart, and I’m sure readers are still being blessed from past posts. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May we lean into and rest in our Savior’s arms and listen to His whispers of love and hope!
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Oh that lovely gentle fawn, lapping at the water. Just sitting with that picture restores my soul. I love how God speaks to us through His creation. Thank you for sharing that love with us here.
It’s so good to see you again. You’re a joy-giver, yes you are.
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Oh, me, too, Linda! And thank you for your kind words of encouragement. ❤️ May our hearts fill with gratitude for God’s gracious speaking to us through His Word and His creation!
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Trudy, thank you for the respite I found here today. this comment, ““God sweetly whispered, “Rest, My child.” An understanding filled me that sometimes I have to rest in spirit, too. To rest from being vulnerable in my writing. To give myself a break from those deep emotions that ravage my soul. To just stop and soak in how God still faithfully brightens life with His blessings, even in the midst of all the death, darkness, and pain in this world.”
And the reminder that vulnerability in our writing asks us to feel those hard emotions sometimes more than necessary, is what I needed to hear. That is so true for me, and I need the rest you speak of.
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Oh Donna, I’m so grateful God spoke to you also through this. I’m so sorry for the losses in your family already this year on top of all the other losses and suffering you have had in your life. May we take to heart God’s invitation to rest and lean into Him and may He gracefully give strength and restoration to our weary souls!
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Absolutely lovely photos Trudy! And I’m learning, too, that rest is perfectly fine with God. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to perform?! He loves for us just to sit at His feet and take Him in, doesn’t He?
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Thank you, Lynn. I always love seeing your photos, too. 🙂 Yes, He truly does love for us to sit at His feet and take Him in! I love how you word that. May we learn more and more to just “be” and to not be so wrapped up in performance!
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I’ve been there to Trudy. I hear what you’re saying. This touched me today.
Visiting today from G&T
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Thank you for understanding, Paula. I was just visiting your blog. I’m so sorry you also deal with invisible chronic illness among other struggles. May God give us grace for each moment!
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These pictures of nature and beauty are indeed rejuvenating. I’m glad you know how to take care of yourself as needed, Trudy. Sometimes we need to step forward and sometimes we need to step back. Both are important and necessary.
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I’m glad the nature photos rejuvenate you, Lisa. Yes, stepping forward or stepping back are both important and necessary. May God give us grace and wisdom to know which and when!
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Sorry to be so late with this, Trudy … this is catch-up week for me, or at least that’s the current plan. 🙂 You’re absolutely right about writing when and how you are able to, not according to anyone else’s expectations or way of doing it. I’m always blessed when I read your words. I also loved seeing your photos from Northwest Arkansas! Where did you stay on your vacation? Love and hugs, friend!
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Oh Lois, you’re never late here. Any time is welcome. 🙂 I’m always grateful you are blessed here. Our youngest son and his wife rented a lakeside AirB&B in Bella Vista and asked us to join their family for a few days. 🙂 It is beautiful country. Love and hugs to you, too, my friend! May we always seek to follow the Lord’s way for us, not the expectations of others!
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I have just this morning been sitting in His presence, and one of the passages He brought to me so gently and sweetly was Matthew 11:28-30. He showed me that the reason His yoke is easy and His burden is light is that when we yoke ourselves to Him, we are relieved of all responsibility. The striving ceases. The toiling stops, as we allow Him to lead and shoulder the weight of our burdens. He controls where the “yoke” goes and where it does not. He controls when it stops and when it moves. He also reminded me of a directive He gave me on 11/9/2018, during a time of severe testing for my family and me. Last year, He told me to apply that same directive to every part of my life going forward from now on. As He reminded me of that this morning, I surrendered so many current cares and troubles to Him, and yes, praise God, I found rest. The deep soul rest that we all crave.
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Thank you for sharing how God refreshed your spirit, Cheryl, and graced you with that deep soul rest that can only come from Him. May we daily surrender our cares and troubles to Him!
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