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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
Come, Rest
“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.’”
Mark 6:31 (NIV)
In my past, I remember I’d rush around getting things done. One December I decorated our living room foe Christmas in 45 minutes. That’s all the time I had that Saturday. Our son was in elementary school, he was in the church Christmas play-that practice was two hours long in the morning. The pastor’s wife and director of the play had chosen that afternoon to have the kids meet again at the church and go sing Christmas carols to some of the shut-ins. And we lived across town from the church.
One May, I returned home from work at 5:00, jumped into the tub, washed my hair. I got out of the tub and blow dried my ‘crowning glory’, dressed, got into the car and drove across town to arrive at church 6:15 to meet the committee to register mothers and daughters and guests for the spring Mother-Daughter Banquet.
Present day, I know I can’t and shouldn’t move that fast. Age and its related aches and pains have slowed me down considerably. Also, God has given me several beautiful insights.
In 1995, I didn’t feel I could attend the spring Mother-Daughter Banquet of the church I was a part of. I touched on my reason for my decision as I visited a lady who attended my church and who knew part of my background. She said she understood.
The night before Mother’s Day, the traditional night for the banquet, our phone rang, my dad wanted to come talk to us. When I told Hubby, he thought it had to do with my stepmother’s health.
When Dad arrived, he told us he had been to Indy to one of the heart hospitals. Previous to that trip, he had ‘flunked’ a stress test ordered by his primary care doctor. The medical personnel at the heart hospital wanted to admit him. He made an excuse., using his friend’s health need as a way out of the situation.
The three of us talked. Hubby and I knew the importance of following up on this bad test result. We told Dad we would take him back down to the hospital when he could get an appointment.
As I reflected on the happenings of that evening, I realized God had arranged for me to be home that evening. You see, as close as I can tell, Dad called about the time the banquet began.
God allowed me to find peace about my decision as I had realized my friend truly understood my reason for not going to that banquet. But God had His own reason. He knew I needed to hear Dad’s news directly. God taught me a lot that May. But, in order to do it I had to be willing to step away from what everyone else was doing and allow Him to strengthen me for what lay ahead.
Our trip down to the heart hospital resulted in Dad having emergency heart bypass surgery and a two week stay in that hospital. I wouldn’t have made it through without the help of God, praying friends, and my family.
I Will Give You Rest
“Come, all who are weary and burdened
and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
The Master invites us, when we are overworked, when we feel underappreciated, when we are stressed out, and those who seem to drown in our to-do lists, to join Him. We sit down at His feet and we listen to His words.
At this time, He asks nothing of us. He gently tells us that He loves us. He draws us close to Him and whispers in our ear words of cheer, of comfort and healing. Sweet aromas surround us as we drink in what He shares with us.
At the end of our time together, we depart refreshed. We can breathe easier and work more efficiently. Our activities no longer overwhelm us. We have been with Jesus.
A few days ago, I found this to be true. Twice, I was unable to think of questions for some Bible studies that I am writing. Each time, I prayed about what I needed. Later when I picked up my composition book, I had received God’s direction and was able to allow the words to flow. Before I had actually started on this project, I couldn’t decide whether I needed to do a collection of devotions or a Bible study. I prayed about this decision and found myself setting down the format for a Bible study-as yet unnamed.
Dear Lord Jesus:
We thank You for Your kindnesses and Your grace You give us when we accept your invitation to come to You. We thank You for Your words of encouragement and comfort that You so freely give to us who fellowship with You. We give thanks to You for Your gentle leading. We give You all the praise. AMEN
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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