Tuesday, May 26, 2009

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.





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7 comments:

Sharon Sloan said...

Lifting up prayers to our Heavenly Father on behalf of your daddy and all of you!

Love,
Sharon

Karen said...

Psalm 72: 12-14 (NLT; also from today)

He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.

He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and HE WILL RESCUE THEM.

He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.

Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

In my Bible Study we are studying "Living your Life as a Beautiful Offering" by Angela Thomas. It is based on the Sermon on the Mount and when she talked about this verse, she used the analogy of a glass and a pitcher of water. We come to God empty; thirsting for His righteousness. When we stand in His presence and open ourselves to Him, he fills us with cool, refreshing, life-giving water. Daily life drains the glass as we drink from it. We need to go back to the pitcher and be filled. But this verse promises to fill us. We will be filled when we hunger and thirst for Him.

Joy, I pray for you and for your family. I pray that you will not lose hope or become discouraged or dismayed beyond your limits. You are right; rest in Him. Let Him fill you and give you peace.

In His love,

Karen

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Joy,
I am at a loss for words to know what to say at this sad and disappointing time for you! I pray that things will turn around for your family real soon! Wish there was something I could do. Just know there are MANY many people out here praying for you. I know you have lots of friends who care deeply about what is happening to you and who are praying.

Marilyn

~Grace and Peace said...

Oh, dear sweet Joy,
I felt your pain. May you, your sister and Daddy feel the comfort of our Heavenly Father. May His will be done.

Lutiemom said...

I pray that you will feel the presence of God today as your sisters in Christ uphold you in prayer.

love,
nancy

Laura said...

OH, joy. I'm so sorry for this turn of events. How in the world? I will continue to pray. I can't imagine how difficult this is, being further away from him.

Bless you, sweet friend.

Pat said...

Precious!
Pat

p.s....I see that you have MY baby boy "Remodeling Guy" on your favorites! I agree, he is one of my favorites also!

Blessings,