“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” -Hebrews 4:9-10

God blessed me with a vacation this past week. I could say it was okay, but that would be a gross understatement, and this is a blog on TRUTH!

It was perfect in every way but one; it came to an end too fast! Seven days of beautiful scenery, gorgeous cool weather, green hills covered in yellow floral splendor,  hikes down unknown paths, taste-testing new foods from bakeries, to 4 barrel espresso! Sublime walks holding my hubby’s hand, and dreaming our dreams together. Long mornings and quiet devotionals, followed by  dinners in new and unknown restaurants! Driving further north between yet more green covered hills lined with beautiful vineyards, to meet up with and spend time with beloved family members whom we don’t see often enough! Sharing my favorite worship with my favorite people on the weekend!

…And now, I find myself driving back to face the work week on Highway 5!

Was it worth it? Not only was it worth it, but it is commanded by my God!

God desires for each of us to enter into rest–HIS REST! We work hard, we give God our best, and in our crazy busy schedules, He desires that we take time to rest. His desire is not that we simply “take a nap.” His desire is that we rest in Him! That we pray, that we take time to be still and know that He is God, that we take in with our eyes and ears and our senses the smell that He is truly God; simply by experiencing the world that He created. That we relax and we take a walk in it, that we observe the beauty of it, and that we take time to listen to someone else that we care about, and share what we are thinking and feeling with that person.

One day out of my seven days of “rest”, I felt God’s presence especially. We got up early and took a morning walk through the city by the bay. We hiked up and over several hills to a special place where sweet smells of baked goods were filling the air all around it! Arriving to the counter, the temptation was strong to just select one of everything in the delectable case of baked goods in front of us! But with all of the self-control we could muster, we picked two fresh baked morning buns. The temptation was great to immediately sink our teeth into the cinnamon, sugar treat in front of us. But our quest that morning and had only just begun! So we resisted, and we hiked on through the streets of San Francisco, four blocks over, and five blocks up to our next destination! The sign read “Four Barrel Coffee”.  The aroma of beautifully roasted coffee beans, was wafting through the air and led us straight to our destination before our eyes ever caught sight of the sign!

We carried our coffee in hand accompanied by the brown paper sack that held our delicious morning buns to our final destination for the morning: Dolores Park! We climbed a bit higher and a bit farther then we had intended but upon reaching the top of the park we sat on a bench ready to open up our sack and dig our teeth into our delectable treat. We looked up at that moment and our breath stopped! Surrounding us was a panoramic view of the city of San Francisco, with the beautiful Pacific ocean surrounding it! My mind and heart could only focus on the splendor of my God and Creator! I sat in all of His beauty and could only thank Him. The thought of buying a morning bun and cappuccino seemed to fade from my memory as I sat and thanked my God for all that He had created.

My average work week does not lend to moments like that! Yes I talk with Him, I certainly walk with Him through all of my daily responsibilities, and at night I thank Him for my day. But it takes a purposed time away, to “Rest in Him,” and slow down long enough to hear Him speak to me, even through the beauty of His glorious creation! I am thankful for rest, and I am even more thankful for a God who cares so much about me to desire that I take a time of rest from my responsibilities!

Truth Bomb:

Rest is a gift from God when we allow it to be.

God calls us to come into His rest. He is waiting there for us, to walk with him, to talk with him, and to rest in His goodness. It is there that we find peace! We learn to relax and trust in Him. Do you understand that He is in control and will take care of all of our needs?

So as I find myself at the end of that time of rest, heading back down Highway 5, with headlights glaring at me from across the highway, I still have a peace, the peace from God that surpasses all understanding! The true peace of God that will give me strength, give me confidence, and supply me with everything I need to live my life every day the way God desires me to live it! I will go from this place of rest in Him, to take on the challenges of the days ahead, knowing His peace is ruling in my heart!

Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

May you find rest in Him and experience His presence in a whole new way. May you allow Him to speak Truth to you as you lean into His loving arms and abide in Him.

Coming Up: A four week series on MOMS!

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