January 1st came and went before I could say, “Happy New Year!” Still coming out of the hustle and bustle of another Christmas, colds settled in and the first of January came and went. Now, if you are a traditionalist like myself, that would be a bit of an irritation. “Rats! I missed it! What about my New Year’s Resolutions?” I mean who makes New Year’s resolutions AFTER January first?! But somehow I surprised myself and didn’t have the breakdown I expected. It was one of those “Who are you and what did you do with Kim?” moments. I just kept moving forward thinking about what I was going to do with this new year.
I knew I wanted to do something different in 2019. Something manageable. Something meaningful. But what? Then a friend of mine mentioned an idea she was going to pursue about praying for God to give her a theme for the new year. “God, what do you want me to focus on this year? What do you want to do in my life?” I thought that sounded interesting and a bit simpler perhaps. It seemed more manageable and meaningful so I went with it.
Escaping to Panera Bread as I sometimes do, I prayed, “Lord, what do you have for me?” And then I listened. A few thoughts came…so many good things to meditate on. So many areas to grow in. I just asked God to show me one thing that could be my focus for the new year. And then it came…REST. Rest? Really, God? I found it kind of ironic because usually New Year’s resolutions/intentions/goals are about DOING something. But no, it was loud and clear in God’s still, small voice kind of way, “REST. I want you to learn to rest. Spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally.” I looked up a few verses on rest asking God if that was really what he wanted me to focus on. And then I came to this verse:
Mark 6:31: “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'”
And I cried. Partly because I was taken back by how much that verse fit my life as a single, homeschool mom with 3 children. (Lots of noise and coming and going without having a chance to eat.) And then it was like a personal invitation from Jesus just for me, “Come with me by [yourself] to a quiet place and get some rest.” How could I refuse such an offer?
What about you? Do you have enough to do that you don’t need to add anything to your already hectic new year’s schedule? Consider if God would have you take some things off your schedule in 2019 and spend more time with Jesus and get some rest! Remember, less is often more. 🙂
~Kim
I love this. This seems to be a common theme for me as well this 2019! God showed me in a very quick way what it meant to just rest in him. I was moved to a new state away from my home and my “loads of chores and housework” in a few 13 days time span. I told my daughter the first week, I have no idea what to do with myself! God showed me that I now have time for bible study, go the gym, better myself emotionally, physically and spiritually. This has been a time of renewal and strengthening for me. Thank you Kim for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing! It’s such a blessing when God gives us those special times of refreshment. I’m glad you saw the opportunity and took advantage of it! I hope we can continue to encourage each other to fight for rest even when life is crazy.:)
Your thoughts are appreciated and so real!!
When God speaks to us we’ve got to move, or so we think. When God speaks to us, He also says rest. Thank you Kim for putting these feelings into words!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Lisa. It encourages my heart.