Editors Note: Re-posted on Grandma Rosy’s 86th Birthday. I love reading this because I can picture her happily going about her day… a morning quiet time, coffee with a friend, a visit from family, a long afternoon nap, and cozy evening with Papa. I think it will always feel like yesterday that she was with us, praying for us, loving on us, and bringing so much joy. To this day I still have moments where I long to pick up the phone and call her for a verse on anxiety, mothering, or an encouraging word to pass along to a friend. Sometimes I will run into someone who wears her perfume and I get a flood of sweet memories all at once. I miss her table settings, her scratchy hand writing, the way she licked her finger before turning a page of her bible, and all the special moments we shared together. But for now I will enjoy watching my daughter Rosemary play and smile to myself each time I call her “Rose-bud”. I will savor moments with my aunts, who each remind me of Grandma in their own way- their laugh, their hands, their hospitality, their baking, their humor. And I will give Papa an extra long hug each time I see him. Happy Birthday Grandma… you are loved and missed as much as ever!
After I have committed the day to the Lord and asked Him to establish my plans, especially when its a day of errands and seeing many people, I ask the Lord to help me to totally enjoy each visit and each errand. Not to be in the attitude of “I want to get this over so I can move on to the next thing”, but to keep my mind totally on the moment and the person and enjoying it and not just trying to get it over with. When I am able to do this with the Lord’s help, the day is so much more fun.
Knowing that the day is in His hands and that I will accomplish what He wants me to accomplish that day. It’s fun to take a little surprise breaks and give myself little treats on these busy errands days too. It might be bringing a book along and taking a little reading break in the Safeway parking lot, or having coffee at Target just to enjoy people watching, or having a real cup of tea at a tea shop. Talking to the Lord along the way the whole day. Asking Him to direct me to the right store and the right purchase so I don’t waste time.
Ecc 2:22 “What has a man from all the toil and strain with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of pain, and his works is a vexation; even in the night his mind does not rest.”
John 10:10b “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Ex. 23:12 “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “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.”
May we all learn truly what it means to “rest in God”. Amen