Do Not Conform…REST in Him

Sally Clarkson, is a mom with heart. The more I read her blog, her books and learn about her choices, even though we are very different, I admire how she was intentional. She was convicted about her priorities: God, Marriage, Children, Home, Ministry… she stayed focused on how God shaped her heart and her priorities; in spite of others opinions.

It wasn’t without difficulty or criticism but she developed much COURAGE. It was bolder than the disCOURAGEment in this world. This combination of diligent REST and LISTENING for His WILL for her life is what has lead to JOY. It requires retreat, being still… yes even a few moments a day with preschoolers… listening for HIS still small voice in our loud world. It is God who KNOWS me BEST and LOVES us MOST; often times better than I know myself, thank you Jesus!!

1 Kings 19:11-13 always reminds me of how God speaks, although I didn’t picture God speaking to me this way… until becoming a mom and doing some soulful excavation did I realize this. To be honest, I had always envisioned more of a lecture, like an upset parent in my mind; it kept me from coming to God, the Father.
It’s quite countercultural…to draw near, experience a gentle, whisper, but when the Lord spoke to Elijah it exemplifies, God as our perfect, patient, parent:
The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
God was not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not the fire…but HE was a gentle whisper. And I really don’t think it’s any different today, then back then. If anything it’s LOUDER and we have a HARDER time being STILL…so if you choose anything for 2012 it’s to REST in Him.
And Romans 12: 1-2 Is about the “renewing of our mind”…therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

As Sally explains: The only place we can find peace and joy is in God’s will, so if we try to find it, to conform, we will not find His blessing or rest, peace and joy.

Ugly Duckling...

Read Sally Clarkson's full blog post at I Take Joy here: Do Not Conform

God took time to REST- so moms should too

Rest 

encouragement from a MOPs blogger...

Little Bird is tired of school. It was really fun for about eight months and she couldn’t wait to go. Now she complains. She drags her feet, she whines. I can’t say I blame her. I’m getting tired too.

I know I need a break, and yet I keep going. Scheduling appointments and playdates when what we all need is an hour with the shades drawn and a stack of books. I can guarantee you we need this more than we need a clean kitchen or car, and heck, maybe even more than we need clean socks. I don’t know why I imagine I should be capable of going enormous stretches of time without rest. If I don’t rest, I’m not a good mother. Simple as that.

It’s the same reason why on an airplane they tell you to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting your child. We are no good to our children if we have passed out.  So why is it so hard for moms to take a little break? Often, when I do get rest, I feel guilty about it. My husband takes the girls out to the park or I escape to a coffee shop, and as I sit there nagging guilt wriggles in—I should be with my kids now, the little voice says. But I remind myself that I am resting now so I can enjoy them later. I can’t have one without the other.

Rest is important for every task. I once heard it said that resting when you are tired is as important for creativity as working when you are inspired. The same thing goes for all jobs, and especially for mothering. I notice some rests are more satisfying than others.

Sure, we’d all love to fly to the Caribbean. But in the meantime, I find a big difference between slumping brain dead in front of the TV at 9 p.m. for my ‘rest’ and taking a half-hour coffee break to do some journaling or just sitting outside looking at the sky. Sure, sometimes the slump is necessary because we are exhausted. But it’s the purposeful rest that revitalizes me and makes me feel like I’ve had some quality time for myself. That allows me to keep giving to my kids.

We all know this, but I know I can use a reminder. Little Bird and Starbuck are just plain tired of school. Their bodies are telling them it’s time for a break. If we listen, our bodies will too. I’m no expert on scripture, but I’m pretty sure that even God took time to rest – so I’m pretty sure it’s okay for moms to as well.

by Brittany 5/31/2011 http://www.mom-ology.org/page.php?pageid=3005