The beginning of August found my husband and I intentionally taking some time off of work, off of homeschool, and away from home in pursuit of one thing…rest.
We spent several days in Philadelphia on our first vacation alone in over six years…well over six years.
We spent the next week hanging out with our children at home.
Still resting.
We thought we had found our pursuit, after those two weeks off, we felt rested, refreshed, and ready to start our lives again.
It didn’t take long, though, for us to become bombarded again.
By nothing more than life…just the everyday living of life.
And once again, we were in need of the thing that we sought out and thought we found.
We were in need of rest.
Why?
What happened to the rest we had?
I have come to realize that true rest doesn’t come from taking time off or from getting away from life, although that time is surely needed.
True rest comes from coming to Christ everyday of our lives and allowing Him to take on our burdens of living this life.
In Matthew 11:28, Christ says,
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Our only rest is found in coming to Him.
And so I will come.
When I am tired of this laboring, when I am overwhelmed and heavy laden, and when I am in need of rest, I will come.
I will come and receive rest that can only be found in Him.
This post is linked to 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama where we are asked to write for five minutes…no editing, no over thinking, and no backtracking.
The topic this week was Rest.
Jennifer Short says
Sounds like you had a great time in Philly and then with your children. I know myself my to-do list seems to grow larger by the day! One thing I love about getting away is knowing I can’t tackle a to-do list! 🙂
brittany says
It always surprises me how quickly real life sweeps back in after a vacation! I was reminded more than ever this summer that true, lasting peace only comes from HIM. Great post!
alita says
I couldn’t agree more. GO to Him to find rest. I know I do.
Alita
Barbie says
You are so right. Our lives and the people connected to them will always be here. We need to seek God daily to gain rest and strength for each day.