Friday, October 14, 2011

The Shelter of Rest

Note well the words of Jesus...Come to me and rest. Never, never did Christ send a heavy laden one to work; never, never did He send a hungry one, a weary one, a sick or sorrowing one, away on any service. For such the Bible only says, Come, come, come. ~Hudson Taylor

Last weekend Morgan and Camron visited while Shawn and Melanie sneaked away for their anniversary.  We had a big Sunday dinner, then the guys took over child care so Emily and I could finish up the kitchen cleaning.  The family room was strangely quiet, and when Emily and I investigated we found Pawpaw conked out with Morgan and Jonathon napping with Camron.  Both of them work hard during the week and evidently needed some Lay-z-boy rest.

So many times when we get tired physically we also experience spiritual fatigue. Charles Swindoll said, "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."

His presence -- the hiding place for the weary.  Spurgeon calls this rest a "pearl because it is so precious, so blessed a thing."

Sometimes the weariness comes from the daily struggle of living.  Young mothers, weary from a day of changing the baby's diapers, telling the three-year-old "no" for the upteenth time, homeschooling the six-year-old, washing clothes, preparing meals -- and that's just the tip of what her day holds.  This mother lays her head on the pillow at night, with barely the energy to say, "I'm tired."  Where is her rest?

Other times the weariness comes from the constant conflict -- first with her husband, then with the two teens living under her roof.  The phone rings and it's another accusatory call from a belligerent mother-in-law.  To top it off, there's the decorating for the fall festival. She can't even concentrate with the barrage of angry words echoing in her ears.  Where is her rest?

And then there's the woman who just became a widow.  In addition to the pain of losing her mate, she's trying to figure out insurance policies, find a job after being out of the market for years, and make decisions about keeping or selling her home.  Where is her rest?

Chronic pain, divorce, death of a child, loss of a house through a tornado -- people are dealing with heartache every day.  The economy brings more stress as layoffs and downsizing change the bottom figures for families. Her mind is tired, physically she can't put one foot in front of another, and spiritually feels far away from God.  Where is her rest?

God intends for us to find rest in Him.  How?  By coming.  That's it.  It's God's promise.  "Come...and I will."  We don't need to come with a fist full of cash.  We don't have to perform or speak with spiritual jargon.  We just come.  And in the coming, we show our belief in the God of rest.  We can echo with David, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him" (Psalm 62:5).

So come, bring your burdens of pain, of depression, of heartache, and leave them with Jesus.  Carrying the burdens drags us down, but come, leave them at the feet of Jesus -- those beautiful nail-scarred feet -- and there you will find rest.

Linked to:

38 comments:

LaVonne said...

Very sweet photos! Thanks for sharing. Yes, it is good to rest in Jesus. Thank you for the reminder.

Blessings!

betty said...

This was beautifully written; I like how Jesus said come all you who are weary; he doesn't exclude anyone. I come to him, but I often forget to leave my burdens with him and taken that yoke up myself again. I need to remember to put them at his feet and just leave them there; great reminder!

thanks for visiting my blog (Fear of the Lord) and your kind comment. May the day be a good one for you and yours!

betty

Anonymous said...

I am so thankful for the rest I find in him that brings refreshment to me both naturally and spiritually ... enjoyed your pictures of resting loved ones...

Nikki (Sarah) said...

great pics....perfect for this post..Hope your weekend is the best.

Anonymous said...

I think many of us needed to read this post this weekend. Rest in Him. Amen!

oodlesofgrace said...

As always, your post offers sound, Godly advice in a such a loving way. Thanks for the gentle reminder. Just what I needed.

Renee said...

I like the quote by Hudson Taylor...I read it to Joel so we could both ponder it. Your words are salve today on our weary bodies.

Betty Manousos said...

such beautiful write and sweet photo.

most definitely something i needed to red today!

blessings

Anita Johnson said...

Hi Pamela,
What a fitting post for me. Five years ago my husband lost his job of 21 years. We now work outside and it can be very physically tiring (I'm 53). And sometimes I question God's plan for us...but then I remember His words and my hope comes from Him.

Dianne ... Walking In His Grace said...

Hi Pamela, First of all I want to thank you for your visit today, which in turn brought me here to your Beautiful, and uplifting blog. I loved the message and your photos. Your post was also very fitting for me today, as I have been sick with a inner ear virus for the last couple of weeks, and still not feeling up to par. I need plenty of rest, and I know I can find rest in my Lord and Savior. He knows how to slow me down, when I get too busy and distracted with life. He does tell us to come and rest in Him. What a wonderful place to be, in His Presence.

God Bless you Pamela
Dianne :)

Esther Asbury said...

What a refreshing and drawing post. Come....yes that's just what I needed today.
BTW - I think I'm going to start me a quote book using some of my favorites that you've posted. That one by Hudson Taylor is so moving --

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

You always write so well! Yes, I love to rest in Jesus,I am learning this more and more. Love Crystal Mary

Karen said...

His presence -- the hiding place for the weary. Spurgeon calls this rest a "pearl because it is so precious, so blessed a thing." I love this quote! Your post is so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing from your heart.

Cathy said...

Very beautiful, thank God for His rest. I wrote a song "Come Unto Me" here on my blog. http://wordsongcollections.blogspot.com/2008/08/come-unto-me.html

Charlotte said...

How nice you got those nice pictures. They so dearly illustrate the subject of rest. Rest is so important that even Jesus took out time to rest while was on His mission here on earth. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Anonymous said...

Amen! I love the Hudson Taylor quote :-)

God bless and have a wonderful week! :-)

Kaye Swain - SandwichINK for Grandparents and Caregivers said...

Perfect timing for these sweet words of encouragement and inspiration for me. Thank you so much. AND thanks for sharing such cute photos and family memories. A delight! :) Have a blessed week.

Gayle said...

I love that, we find rest by simply coming. Love the picture of Grandpa sleeping by the way!

A multi-dimensional life said...

Oh so beautiful Pamela, and how we all need rest! "come and I will"...it is so simple, yet we tend to complicate it! Just come...
Thanks for another comforting word and thanks for sharing the precious photo's!

Janis Van Keuren said...

Oh, such a blessing to hear those words of Chuck Swindohl. That when we become physically fatigued, we can also be spiritually fatigued. Such wisdom. Time to quiet myself in His arms and listen!

Blessings,
Janis

Quirky Homemaker said...

Lovely post, Pamela. And such a good thing to remember. Thanks for visiting my new blog! Have a great week,

Laurie Collett said...

Praise God that we can cast our cares upon Him and that He leads us beside the still waters. Thank you, Pamela, for the lovely post, and God bless you! Laurie

Laura said...

There is nothing better than an afternoon nap with a wee sweet body to curl up with! Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. And the story illustrations too. Recovering from a cold here and weary is part of it. SUch a nice thing knowing He invites rest.

Mindy said...

Precious pics! And a good reminder of God's promise of rest.

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Such a sweet post. Love your words. blessings, Kathleen

Anonymous said...

Lovely post. Happy Monday friend!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the photos!! Great post, and such a "reality"....the absolute necessity to rest in the Lord. If I don't find that place of hiding in Him, I quickly run weary, empty and dry. I love the quote from Spurgeon. Just began to read from his volumes "The Treasury of the Bible." His handwritten sermons...WOW ~ totally anointed by the Holy Spirit...and makes me want to ONLY hide in the shadow of His wings! lv alice

Yolanda said...

I needed this post. I always am inspired when I visit here. Have a wonderful week.

Ruth said...

I am so glad for the rest He offers us. It does only take responding to His invitation. May I go to Him and dump it all, so I fit in the yoke with Him. Thanks for your encouragement and I am blessed by your gift of writing.

Heart n Soul said...

Ha ha ... love the pics. Loving even when beyond tired!

Kathy said...

I completely agree - rest is so important - both physically and spiritually - beautiful post,
Kathy

dtbrents said...

A wonderful reminder. Thanks, Doylene

Sharon said...

This was beautiful, Pamela. Just the way you wrote it was soothing to me.

My favorite line was this: "And in the coming, we show our belief in the God of rest." I never really thought about this - that my coming to the Lord in the middle of my strife is really a sign of trust. It's almost a step of obedience. I am affirming in my heart that He can indeed supply the *rest* that my weary soul so desperately needs.

And yes, sometimes in the middle of the worst turmoil I have had the greatest sense of His nail-scarred hands touching me, and saying those blessed words, "Rest, My child. In Me, find hope."

GOD BLESS!

Susan Mc. said...

I love the pictures of the sweet rest! Thanks to for the quote from Hudson Taylor and the encouragement to rest when one needs it. I've been so fatigued lately and sometimes it helps to realize resting shouldn't be paired with guilt. Thank you!

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Aww, sweet rest. I love it. Yes, I need to rest in my savior's arms today.

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Forgot to mention I am a new follower.

Wanda said...

The invitation to come just as we are is definitely one we should accept more often. Blessings to you.

Unknown said...

"We just come. And in the coming, we show our belief in the God of rest. We can echo with David, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him" (Psalm 62:5)."

Beautiful, Pamela. Thank you.