REST vs.IDLENESS

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. John Lubbock

Sounds inviting doesn't it?  But I know you might have had my grandmother who always said:
                 "And idle mind is the devil's workshop".  

     You know, I looked this morning and I could not find that in the Bible.  But even if I missed it...the saying is "an idle MIND, not body! Ok be honest! How many of you mothers out there feel guilty when you're "just reading a book"??  Your mind is not idle, but your body is getting a much needed REST.  

This is in the Bible and spoken by none other than Jesus:  And He said to them, "Come ye apart by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.   (Mark 6:31)

Have you been there?   Anybody?? When I was first made aware of this verse the one teaching gave his interpretation: 
                   "Come ye apart and rest or come ye apart."

      And I can hear you now.  "Lanita, you don't have my schedule".  You're right I don't and there was a day when I too did what you are doing.  But the "legacy" part for you is to tell you that my body has suffered for it and I can no longer do what I want to do even though I have the time.  Why?  Because I pushed and pushed and pulled and pulled and never took time to rest.  And I'm here to tell you; STOP occasionally and REST!!  
       
         My prayer for all of you out there that are meeting yourselves coming back or worse: you've lost yourself along the way... is taken from an obscure verse in Genesis:

"Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree."
(Genesis 18:4 )

Love in Him,

FOR THE YOUNG AND OLD-THINGS TO REMEMBER

This is an old piece, but I came across it this morning in one of my prayer journals. It did me good to revisit it because I am older now than I was when I first read it.  So, I am sure I need to remember it's advice more now than I did when I first read it. You can read it & weep or read it & laugh, but hopefully we will read it & heed.

                    17th Century Nun's Prayer

Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself

that I am growing older and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking

I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from the craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody: helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all,

but thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the endless recital of details;

give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is

becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of other’s pains,

But help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory,

but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness

when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally, I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet;

I do not want to be a saint *- some of them are so hard to live with –

but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places,

and talents in unexpected people.

And give me, oh Lord, the grace to tell them so.

*Just one correction of this nun..if you know Jesus personally, you have no choice ..you are a saint.

 

Mothers Day Mentoring

With Mothers Day upon us; I just wanted to remind all of us women what Titus 2 says:

"....the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things...that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands that the word of God may not be blasphemed. " (NKJV) 
   
Now in all honesty...many of these words we do not even remember what they mean!  Discreet, ???chaste..??? Read it with me in the New Living Translation:

"....Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God.  They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.  Instead, they should teach others what is good.  These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their home, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands.  Then  they will not bring shame on the Word of God. .."

 OUCH!  Not a problem understanding those words.  Don't shoot the messenger.  God said it first through Paul.
     When you think about it; you are both the older woman and the younger woman in every instance of your life.  We learned this recently from Priscilla Shirer in the Gideon study.  So, you should be mentoring someone younger than you and you should have someone older than you that you can go to and say HELP!! In fact you are probably already doing this, but have just never thought about it.  Who is it that's younger that comes to you with questions?  Maybe your daughter? Maybe a younger woman at church?  You are that woman's mentor.  Who is it that you go to when you need advise with anything that has you stumped?  That person is your mentor.  It doesn't have to be planned or regimented.  Just avail yourself and it will happen..
     
       My mother went to be with the Lord 20 years ago today and I still miss her.  And I am so grateful for all she taught me.  My prayer is that I am being a mentor, an admonisher to all the women that God brings me in contact with.  
       
          Passing the faith along.. This is the way it's done ladies.  Until next time, I hope you all have a glorious Mother's Day.
 
 

Love in Him,