Three Word Wednesday :: Gift of Rest

Please welcoming my friend Katie Reid to #ThreeWordWednesday! We connected on the internet and both are part of the God-sized Dreams website writing team. We have a shared passion for adoption and are unwinding our tightly-wound selves as we learn about letting go of perfectionism. This week I'm in the mountains of Guatemala on a mission trip, so I'm thrilled to have Katie's encouragement to share with you today.

For more than a year I have been striving, driving and running out of gas. I see the speedometer near “E” yet insist on going just a little further — pushing the limits, but running on fumes.
I often don’t get enough sleep and foggy brain sets in from having too many tabs open on the home-screen. I struggle to be present. I feel overwhelmed by the house, the hurry and the hiccups —unexpected circumstances that interfere with endless to-do lists.

My husband and I have tried to be more intentional with resting on Sundays — you know, like God told us too. I try not to get online during the day but take a nap and read a book instead. And you know what? I’m starting to love Sundays — especially the ones when I actually unplug and rest. Foregoing the frantic and embracing simplicity is hard for this tightly wound woman, but it is freeing.

A few Sundays ago I declared, “I am going to read a book just for fun. I’m not going to read a how-to-improve book, but a light, make-me-feel-good fiction book.”

I grabbed a book and headed for the hammock. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing gently and peace was waiting.

As I kicked up my heels, I declared a trust in His ability to keep the world in tact — without me at the helm. I laid back and laid down my tendency of “doing.” I breathed deep.

Why had I waited so long to listen to God’s whispers of wisdom? Why had I ignored His invitation to rest?

Daughter,
My yoke is easy.
My burden is light.
And you will find rest for your soul (see Matthew 11:28-30). {Tweet that.}

As I breathed in His grace and breathed out His praise — finally letting God do His thing — I received a gift; the sweet gift of rest.

How foolish I have been, thinking I know better than God.

“God created the universe in 6 days; he rested on the 7th. His message? ‘If creation didn't crash when I rested, it won't crash when you do!’”

—Max Lucado

When we rest we communicate a posture of trust in the One who created the earth and holds it, and us, together. Let’s kick back a little more often and unwrap this gift from the One who knows just what we need.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  

—Matthew 11:28-30 {The Message}

With Grace,
Katie

Do you struggle to rest? When was the last time you laid down your load and breathed deep? {Tweet that.}
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Katie M. Reid is a tightly wound woman, of the recovering perfectionist variety, who fumbles to receive and extend grace in everyday moments. She delights in her hubby, four children and their life in ministry. Through her writing, singing, speaking and photography she encourages others to find grace in the unraveling of life.

Connect with Katie at katiemreid.com and on Twitter and Facebook.
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