Rest

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I’m gently and lowly in heart, AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light"

Jesus commands us to rest.  He commands us to rest in HIM to be strengthened.  God Himself rested.  He created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th.  Jesus took time away from His ministry to rest.  If GOD HIMSELF seeks rest, why don't we?


It seems like life gets more and more hectic.  More places to run, more things to do.  Our to-do lists as wives and mothers seems to grow longer by the minute, especially with toddlers around.  It is HARD to find time to rest!  I know firsthand.  Baby is 11 months old, quite mobile during the day and still not sleeping more than 3 hour stretches at night.  I'm tired but I often feel that I don't have time to rest.


I have, however, discovered an interesting principle.  When I take the time to rest in the Lord, I have MORE time through the day!  How is this possible?  By aligning my will with His, He strengthens me to be more efficient in my work and points me to the work that He has for me for that day, not what I FEEL like doing that day.


Now, I often think I can do BOTH what I want to do and what the Lord has for me to do.  How silly that thought is.  The days when my thinking is flawed like that, I find my plans disintigrating. 

One great way that I find rest is through MOPS.   Mothers of Preschoolers.  No, it isn't a quiet time.  It is time with other moms, without Baby, where we all learn how to be more like Jesus and how to be better wives and mothers.  I began going to MOPS right after moving across the country when I was 7 months pregnant.  These women became an instant family.  They brought meals when Baby came early.  They have been there through the good times and bad!  They have helped me find my identity as an individual, not just as a wife and mother. 


I am quite excited that we kick off our new year of MOPS tomorrow.  I am excited to serve more this year as a table leader and by writing for the newsletter.  I am excited to welcome friends, new and old.


How do you rest?  Do you rest?  Have you spent time in the Word today?