God is Our Restorer – Come and Rest

When life is overwhelming, remember God is our restorer. Come and rest in his arms. Have you ever watched a small child sleeping on their mother’s shoulder wishing you were that small again? If only you could stop for a moment, pausing all your troubles so you could come and rest and be restored.

Scurrying About

When my children were small, they were always busy bebopping here and there, but I knew when they were tired or sick. They would reach up to me and say in that tiny voice, “Hold me.” I would gather them in my arms so they could come and rest their tiny head on my shoulder. Only resting for a short time though, they’d be up again like little squirrels scurrying about with their restored energy.

The same is true for me. The difference is I only scurry. I don’t stop to rest to restore my energy.  I scurry around at work, at home, at activities, and at church, until I land exhausted in bed. Then I wake up the next day and do it all again. I know it’s true for many of you also.  Working all week in an office, facility, or at home, then on the weekends, it’s cleaning and/or yard work. If you have children in activities, it seems like you’re never home let alone rest. (I can hear you now; what is rest?) Then, if you are a caregiver for elderly parents or a special-needs child your caregiving seems endless on top of everything else that needs to be done.

Our Example

That’s not what life is supposed to be like. Our Father in Heaven gave us an example by working all week and then resting on the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-3). Now, God didn’t need to rest, but I believe he was setting an example like any good parent would do for their children. Another great example is when Jesus encouraged His disciples to rest in Mark 6:31. My favorite, however, is when Jesus rested during a violent storm (Matt. 8:23-26). This example is a clear reminder to me that even when life’s storms hit, we need to be restored. We need to come and rest remembering that God’s got it. 

Setting the Example

Just think, if God the Father and Jesus have set these examples for us how much more should we follow that example and set the example for the next generation? If you are a parent, it’s important to show your children how to rest. Lead by example. In today’s world, everyone seems so busy taking their children to ball practice, karate, and gymnastics throughout the week and birthday parties and play dates on the weekends. Their intentions are good since it’s important for children to experience life and be well-rounded but to what end exhaustion and anxiety? Experiencing life also means learning how to rest, renew our minds, and restore our bodies. Yet, it’s impossible to do, when it’s go, go, go all the time.

My Example

When our children were young, we tried to set an example. Our rule was one sport per season. It usually included soccer in the fall and softball in the spring. My only regret is that we didn’t do more family activities during those times. It seemed like sports kept us from weekend hikes and camping trips. Time we could have used to unwind and disconnect from the world.  However, we had our times of rest as we snuggled together and read a book, or laid out under the night sky hoping to see a shooting star. By far, though, my favorite times were out by the homemade fire pit in our backyard (no phones allowed) roasting marshmallows, playing in the fire with sticks, and listening to the night sounds. We were teaching our children how to rest in a busy world.

Results of Our Example

 I miss those times. Now they are grown and no longer at home. However, when they come home to visit, I’ll often find them sitting quietly outside on the porch swing or on the couch wrapped in a blanket. On one occasion, during a difficult period in my older daughter’s life, she came to visit for a while. We sat outside, and she poured her heart out.  It wasn’t long before my 23-year-old snuggled up to me (you are never too old for snuggles) and told me how peaceful it was at home.  She told me she always looked forward to visiting because she knew she could come and rest no matter what was going on in her life. I hugged her tightly and told her, “You can always come home and rest.” Then we sat quietly and listened to the night sounds like we did when she was younger.

Where Do You Rest?

Is there a special place you can go to rest when life is chaotic and you are just plain tired? In Matthew 11:28 Jesus tells us “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” If you notice, we need to make the first move. We need to find a quiet place, reach up to Jesus, and snuggle in. He will give us rest. He will restore us.

Pour Out Your Heart

Then we need to pour our hearts out to Him. What has made you weary? Is it worry? Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to worry about anything, that we are to let our requests be known to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. It’s a concept the world can’t understand. This peace surpasses all understanding. It’s a perfect peace that comes when our mind is dependent upon the Lord (Isaiah 26:3). Once you’ve shared your heart with Him, just sit quietly and rest in His presence.

Plan Periods of Rest

1. Plan to get away and rest alone or with your spouse (no children). If you are a caregiver, ask a trusted friend, or family member, or pay a professional to look after your loved one. Stay for a night or a weekend.
2. Plan a block of time (2-4 hours) once a month to be alone with the Lord. Take a walk or hike a trail. Send the family out to eat while you stay home (no housework!). 
3. Carve out 15-30 minutes each day to sit quietly. No phones, tablets, or TVs allowed. Read scripture or just be still and thank the Lord for the day.

Moms Need Rest Too

As a mom, I know it’s hard to find a quiet place even for a moment. When my girls were little, I would steal away to the bathroom and turn the fan on to drown out the noises of the world. I would tell the Lord, “I need You.” I would take a deep breath, sit quietly for a moment, and let the peace that passes all understanding wash over me. Just those short 60 seconds were enough to restore my spirit.  Later, I would make sure to carve out time throughout the week to pour my heart out to Him.

Come and Rest

Let me encourage you to take time for yourself, even if it’s just sixty seconds.  Then take a deeeep breath. Close your eyes and picture the cross.  Tell Jesus, “I’m coming to you Lord as your word says. Please give me rest and renew my spirit,” or if your mind allows, just sit quietly, and meet Him in that space. 

Throughout The Week

Also, find time throughout your week to pour your heart out to Him. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes in your life when you come to Jesus, like a child, and snuggle in to rest. Then don’t forget to plan expanded periods of rest. For me,  these are times of renewal. Whatever it may look like for you, come and rest in your Father’s arms. Be restored.

How do you find rest in your busy day/year? Share with me in the comments below.

Challenge

Find a few minutes today to meet quietly with Jesus. Schedule at least 15 minutes this week to pour your heart out to Him and hold nothing back. Find the peace God promises to give you.

Know that God is our Restorer