Rest In Me

Sleep is something I’m not very good at.  I don’t think I’ve had a really good night’s sleep in 20 years - since I was pregnant with my 19-year old son.  It’s not that I can’t get to sleep, it’s that I can’t stay asleep.  Like most moms, I’m awakened by the slightest noise, worried that something might be wrong.  Over the years, my body has become accustomed to waking up after a few hours.  And no thanks to technology, I’ve found ways to occupy these early morning hours - staring at a screen.   Ugh!

So many studies point to sleep as a key to good health.  I know it’s important and each night I tell myself, “Tonight’s going to be different.”  But there’s the problem, I tell MYSELF.  I try to find serenity within and that’s the last place I’m going to find it.

I’m no stranger to the idea that I need to cease relying on my own effort and lean on God.  I know I can’t do this on my own.  Time and experience have taught me I’m a horrible self-regulator.  See, there it is again – SELF.  If only I could rest in the notion that the Holy Spirit will work it out on my behalf.

It seems there’s a simple answer to the question, “How can trusting God help me sleep?”  Faith = Sleep and Sleep = Faith.  This Lenten season I plan to trade old habits for new ones.  (And no, I don’t mean giving up sweets for more vegetables, though I should.) This is what I plan to do:

1.  Go to bed at a reasonable hour.

2.  Don’t scroll through my phone.

3.  When I wake in the middle of the night, repeat today’s verse… “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

And maybe, just maybe, if I repeat “But take heart!” enough times, it’ll send me right back to sleep.  A sleep that will restore not only my mind and body, but my spirit as well.

Wouldn’t it be great to wake up refreshed in the knowledge that He is the Prince of Peace and the day will be better because of my relationship with Him?! 

 

Compassion Without Comparison

Galatians 6:1-5

While reading today's passage, four words stood out…restore, carry, compare, share. As a parent, I try to set a good example and “gently restore” those who veer off track. I try to teach that we are each responsible for our own faith, but should also look out for others.

I hope my kids offer to “carry each other's burdens” and share the Word, guiding others along the path to God’s kingdom. This means that we are called to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. (Shoutout to the UALC mission!)

The downfall comes with compare. I can't tell you how many times I’ve said “I don’t care what anyone else is doing!” When in reality, I'm constantly comparing myself and my family to others. Am I as good a mom as…?? Why can’t my husband be handy like…?? (Sorry Corey.) Are my kids as smart as..., as athletic as…, as social as…??

I need God to nudge me back to v. 4  “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”

It's not what Joe Schmo is doing that’s important. The greatest lesson I can teach my kids is to test their actions against the only thing that truly matters, the Word of God.  In that you can never go wrong.

Lord, help me live in the Word and guide others to you. Show me how to restore, carry and share, but not compare myself to others. You are the only true measuring stick I need.  Amen

Commitment - Not Neglect

Nehemiah 9:1-3, 32-38, 10:28-32, 39b

Neglect:

1. Fail to take care of someone. To fail to take care of someone when you are responsible for them

1b. Fail to take care of a place. To fail to take care of a place, for example a house or garden

 2. Fail to do something you should do.

 3. Fail to pay attention to something. To fail to pay attention to something such as an idea or a work of art

                             “We will not neglect the house of our God.”

                                              Nehemiah 10:39b

Fail is not a word or feeling any of us like, particularly when it refers to our own actions…… or lack of. Why then do we so often neglect our responsibilities as Christ followers to do what our God asks of us? Do we use the excuse that we are human, or place blame on others due to their lack of Christian behavior or a personality conflict? Perhaps because we know our Lord will forgive us, we get somewhat sloppy in our approach to life and then confess, reconcile, focus for a while, and eventually fall back again only to start the process over? How exhausting!

We beat ourselves and each other up when we forget how to focus our lives on God just as when the “chosen people” turned away from Him. There was sin, conflict and unrest.

Though our God is a righteous and forgiving God, we know that He will be more than delighted if we remain in his will rather than fading in and out. Why then do we do that? Well it’s hard! 

Maintaining relationships is very challenging, yet our God is a relational God, and we are here to serve one another. Within marriages, families, communities, and far beyond, “to the ends of the earth” actually, we are given the responsibility to spread the Word and Love of our Savior. Let’s not fail to keep Him in the middle of all our relationships. Trust God with your heart and “He Will Restore.” 

Listen to: He Will Restore by Chris August

                                                                                             

Read/Listen to: Nehemiah 9:1-3

                           Nehemiah 9:32-38

                           Nehemiah 10:28-32

                           Nehemiah  10:39