The necessity of a restored soul

"The LORD is myShepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.." Psalm 23:1-3a

I love Thursdays! In many ways they are almost sacred to me. They are the one day of the week that I am usually able to stay up the hill in our canyon retreat. Generally they are my day to disconnect from the frenzy of life and simply rest. Certainly there may be a load or two of laundry to do (isn't there always laundry), but for the better part of the day I am simply able to rest. Even as I write this I sigh a deep sigh of contentment because I have chosen to allow myself the day off and not worry over the undone.

When God moved my husband and me up here nearly six years ago, I came rather reluctantly.  Although I had always wanted a place in the country where I could disconnect, the 22 miles of twisting canyon road felt a bit more disconnected than I felt necessary. God in His wisdom knew what I needed most though, and after the first month I realized just how over busy my schedule had become. Although the initial letting go of a few things was difficult, over time I began to genuinely enjoy being less busy.

Busyness had become an evil taskmaster and I was more exhausted than I realized.  It is s beast I continually have to fight. 

Learning to allow myself "down time" wasn't easy. I had erroneously associated my busyness with godliness.  After all, I was busy doing what I thought the Lord wanted me to do. But in all my busyness I had begun to drown out the voice of the Lord that said "Be still and know that I am God."*

Living 22 miles away from my "commitments"  showed me I had lost sight of my true purpose, which is to allow the Lord to lead me - NOT to ask Him to join me in my excursions...no matter how noble I thought they may be.

Having significant time to sit at His feet and rest is paramount to being able to serve Him. A weary soul is not a capable soldier. 

So for me, Thursdays have become that very important day of rest. As I sit here and enjoy the peaceful quiet, and the faint sounds of birds cheerfully singing, I rejoice in knowing how intimately well my Father knows me and Iam thankful. My prayer is that you too will find those places of rest in your own life so that our Lord can restore your soul. 

To Him be the glory forever! 

*Psalm46:10
#thevelveteengrandma

Living selflessly in a selfie world

"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Jesus as quoted in Mark 8 :34
After spending far too much time on Facebook this morning,  I was left with the sad realization of how self-consumed we are as a people. Now it's not to say I haven't noticed this before, but today it seemed to rest more heavily on my soul.
We have become a "selfie" generation.
As one who is not particularly photogenic, and especially vulnerable to the horrible candid shots, I understand the desire to have decent pictures of me posted. But what I see happening for many is a near chronic obsession to record a photographic journal of every moment.
So how do we balance living selflessly in a selfie world?
It is more than just the random pictures we choose to take and post on social media. It's the daily choice to fix our focus on Christ and the path He has for us.
Part of this whole thinking about selfless living came from reading comments on a post about another person's decision to do something. Well meaning Christian's had their opinions on whether or not the individual was doing the right "Christian"  thing. There was much debate within the comments on how it should be done.
What stood out me though was the splinter picking. You know,  the "I' m a better Christian because I do or don't do things a certain way. Therefore let me help you see the error in your walk." ad nauseum.
Self consumed by the thought of being better than another in some form or another.
I find it all very sad.
In the end we will all stand before the LORD and give account for our lives.  I know personally there are many things I regret in my life.  It makes me eternally grateful for the sacrifice Jesus made, and causes me to examine my words and actions  on a continual basis. About the time I think I have it all dialed in and begin splinter picking in someone else's eye, God gently reminds me to worry about the plank in my own.
And so, I leave you with these words from Jesus and pray we will all find the right balance in living selflessly in a selfie world.
"If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." (John 21:22)
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that speck out of your eye.'  and look, a plank is in your own eye.  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. " (Matthew 7:1-5)
May the Lord guide each of us in selfless living and bless our walk. May we all be a blessing to others along the way.