"I think the world today is upside down. Everybody seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater development and greater riches and so on. There is much suffering because there is so very little love in homes and in family life. We have no time for our children, we have no time for each other; there is no time to enjoy each other. In the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world."
~Mother Theresa
In case you have noticed things have been very quiet here one the blog.
We have been enjoying a summer break chock full of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
And just learning to savor the slow.
Yes, and I mean learning.
Slow does not come naturally to me. In fact, I am always aware of time and how much of it there is. I like to pack a punch in my days so I had to learn to sit down and breathe, look around, and take in all the blessed lovely around me.
Am I describing you? Do you have trouble not being in the busyness of life? Do you get swallowed up by all that is around you---the demands, the schedule, the to-do lists?
"Beware the barrenness of a busy life. "
- Socrates
We have been:
reading books
putting in the garden
enjoying movie nights
going on long walks
visiting the park
spending time with extended family
rocking in my rocking chair and just "being" and thinking
taking time to smell flowers
watching clouds roll by
catching bunnies
spending time together on some home projects
(peonies from my garden)
I recently heard a sermon on depression about the importance of taking care of yourself, since so many of us neglect doing that nowadays. Through instilling into our lifestyles:
- Rest
- Recreation
- Reduction of commitments and things in your life
- Routine
- Rethinking how we do things and looking at them
- Reprioritizing
- Refueling
I will share more on that in a future post.
But today I just want you to think about the things that you have been putting off.
The things you keep saying "I'll do that when I get time".
Don't wait to do these things--live your life now because it is a gift to you and it might not be there tomorrow.
Tomorrow is not promised so let us stop to take the time to take a deep breath and relax. To work in some slow into our daily lives so we really feel like we are living and not just at the mercies of our hectic "schedules". To stop and really look into our children's eyes. To sing a song with them. To get off social media and take the time to just think instead. To pick some flowers. To actually pause and hear the birds chirp and to be grateful.
Grateful for another day here on earth.
I hope you will be encouraged like I am by these Bible verses on rest:
And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
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 am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:38-30
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6
"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jeremiah 31:25
Don't wait, dear friends...stop putting off life and start savoring it today.
Sweet friend, do you know the Lord and if you are going to heaven? Please read this to be sure.
If you need help learning God's Word be sure to find a good Bible.
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I would definitely be interested in hearing more about the sermon on depression-I recently started meds for moderate depression, and I have seen a huge improvement in my attitude,but I want to be healed spiritually, mentally and emotionally, not just due to meds
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, I have been working on the post for the past few days and hoping to get it up tomorrow! Praying the Lord would guide you through it all.
DeleteDo you know the title and/or artist of the painting at the top of this post?
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to have things done, the list & daily housework but even nicer when they are done & you can sit & enjoy the quiet moments without your brain telling you to get up & do this or clean this,etc. I have had to learn that no matter how much I feel I need to do, I have to enjoy the day, the fruits of my labor & praise God for all around me. So I sit here on my front porch with my coffee, say my prayers, listen to the birds, watch my horses, pet my dogs, kiss honey bye as he leaves for work & be quiet some more. Taking this slow time in the morning gives me energy to do my list. If I get a couple of things done daily, I'm good. Most of the time it's more, but the importance here is there is more to life. For those of you still working, with children & hectic schedules, make time for yourself to refresh. If you are happy & refreshed, it will show. I know I am here also sitting on social media, but try to only look at family photos, prayer requests & things that make me laugh! Get your children logged off & logged into life. The experience of living your life instead of reading about someone else's is much more fun! De-friend those that post things not relative to you, be picky at what you choose to read or share. Share God, the importance of respect, love & giving. Set the example, give love to all of those who cross your path & love will come back to you in ways you can't imagine. Honor our country, the flag & God who gave us all. Life is short, we all want to look back & see that we meant something, to someone. If you have love in your heart, it will spread. I believe, that is what this nation needs. I pray for all mankind, for God made us ALL & loves us ALL!
ReplyDelete