God's Rest

“…God gives rest to his loved ones.” Psalm 127:2

Rest. A coveted commodity. Rest has been replaced with recreation, and we fool ourselves into believing we are being recharged. Rest is defined as freedom from activity. Respite. Pause for relaxation. Inaction. To me it’s more than physically being still.

I have sat in a posture of ‘rest’ for the past 12 weeks at the side of my Daddy’s hospital bed, but I have not experienced ‘rest’. It’s more than a position. If just sitting still was enough, I should be the "Energizer Bunny". So, why today, am I worn, weary and wasted?

Phsycial rest without the accompanying emotional, spiritual and mental rest accomplishes nothing. We need heart, soul and mind rest as well. I have to confess, I'm not doing very well in those areas this morning.

Yesterday I "rested" in some knowledge that has turned out to be false. For those of you reading this who are aware of the journey I have been on with my Dad, please continue to pray. The day started out so hopeful, but has taken a devestating turn and I'm exhausted from tears that have flowed, unstoppable. My head is aching. My heart is hurting. I don't understand.

LORD, I've been trying to hold on to You through this...I've been trying to trust Your ways and Your plan...I've been trying to hold on to hope from the beginning...I haven't understood any of it....Daddy went in for day-surgery...a small procedure...why has this all happened? I can't stand it. I don't get it. My heart can't break any more than it is right now. My Daddy was moved further away and is locked in a hospital...a place where we had been promised help...Lord, please be very present with Daddy right now....be his companion...He's afraid, begging and crying his family not to leave...Lord...do something...get Daddy out of there...My sister and I sat and cried together last night and she just kept repeating, "He'd be better off dead". We held hands and again implored the Lord for divine intervention.

Just as I turned off my computer in the wee hours this morning, my sister sent me an e-mail. She had called the hospital and had a beautiful talk with Nicole, a nurse in Dad's area. She said Dad settled REALLY well and was super cooperative, the BEST patient they'd had there (no kidding! - He shouldn't be in this hospital!!) He took his pills (love to know what they gave him!!!), had his cranberry juice and has gone to bed. My sister cried on the phone to the nurse explaining Dad shouldn't be there. So thankful last night for that phone call. God allowed it to provide a little rest.

Circumstances, situations, thoughts, location will never supply the rest we truly need. True rest is found in a Person. Matthew 11 tells us that He will bring rest to our souls. Father, today I need to rest my very worn and weary self in You. Sing me a lullaby Lord.