Rest. A critical part of the rhythm of life. Without it, our bodies tire, our minds fill with fog and our souls become weary. Yet, I find I’m not very good at resting. Sitting still doesn’t come naturally to me.
I didn’t realize the toll the month had taken on me. Challenging myself to post daily meant I had to utilize every spare minute I could find – before work, over lunch, after getting the kids to bed. It was energizing and exciting to write my story, but on that Sunday after the final piece published, I found myself weary. My mind was full of ideas and plans for what’s next, but I couldn’t get the words out. I stared at my computer screen but felt engulfed in a fog.
I heard the Holy Spirit whisper the word surrender.
The kids went to bed early that night, which is usually an opportunity to squeeze in some extra writing. Instead, I took a long bath and read a book. Each time I thought about getting out and starting back to work, I was stopped.
You need to rest. Rest in Me. Surrender…
When Monday morning came and I had nothing to post, I felt lacking. I saw other writers publishing and I felt left out.
It’s OK. You need to rest. Surrender…
My mind was still foggy Monday night, so I read a book instead of writing.
You need to rest and rejuvenate your mind and soul. You need to rest so you can continue the race. Surrender…
I finally felt ready to continue Wednesday morning. Had my alarm set for 4am, my writing time before the kids get up. 5 minutes before the alarm was scheduled to go off, my little boy woke, crying out for Mommy. He needed comforting and to go back to sleep. I was frustrated with this interruption, this disruption to my writing time. It meant I’d need to spend time settling him back to sleep. I wouldn’t be able to finish editing and publish the piece I drafted the day before.
He needs the sleep. You need the sleep. Surrender…
So, I lay down with him and we slept. Rested our minds and bodies for another couple of hours.
Surrender…
Surrender to God’s plans isn’t giving up, but rather finding rest in God and living into the rhythms of life so we can complete the race he sets before us.
So, I surrender my writing, the plans and ideas swirling in my head, and my future to the One who holds the Master Plan for my life. I surrender to stop constantly swimming upstream, against the current and instead try to lean into the rhythms of life.
How does the word surrender speak to you? Are there areas in your life you need to surrender and instead flow into the rhythm of life as set by God? Do you need to find rest and restoration?
Are you facing battles in your life that seem unbeatable? Are you unable to see the path forward through your challenges? Do you desire greater peace and calm in your life? Explore “Pray Deep: Finding Stillness in the Storm”, 21 days of devotional prayers to find hope in the storms of life, to learn to be still, and to truly know that He is God!
Through this 21-day guided prayer journey, you will:
- Find peace and calm in the middle of life’s chaos.
- Discover how to find stillness and Sabbath for your life and live into the rhythm of rest and restoration.
- Learn to hear God’s voice, so you can hear him above all others when the storms of life begin to rage.
- Unlock the power of “Be Still” for your own life and learn to trust God’s plans.
Sabra Penley says
Thank you, Kathryn. I needed this reminder to rest…in Him. To not run ahead of Him. To surrender to His pace along the journey.
Kathryn says
Ah, the journey… everything always comes back to the journey… sometimes I want to see where I’m going. Hard to surrender to His pace sometimes.
Melissa R says
Amen. We push and push ourselves to get things done. We forget to spend time with the Lord and take care of ourselves. When I felt as though I had to blog every day, I felt pressured. It wasn’t fun anymore! I’ve gotten onto a more relaxed schedule, and that’s put the fun back into it.
Kathryn says
Yes! I so easily fall into the work-work-work habits – and always have a to-do list a mile long – but it’s all better when we let ourselves rest and relax sometimes.
Susan Plumhoff says
I need a constant reminder of, * I can’t, he can*. Perfect timing.
sarahgirl3 says
Getting into a blog rhythm is tough but worth it. We are definitely used to pushing too hard, and our bodies aren’t designed for it. Glad you got to rest! 🙂
Barbie says
I’ve been struggling with my writing for a number of months now. Thank you for this post. It helps me to know that God is in control and I must keeping surrendering to the rest that He has for me. Blessings!
Wanda W. says
Oh Kathryn, this speaks to me on so many levels. I feel like I’ve lost my blogging rhythm. There are ideas but I can’t seem to pull them into anything really cohesive these days. The demands of life pull me into other arenas. Yes I need to surrender.
Tara says
Thank you this is really true each one of us need to take time and rest. And take care of our self. I have been having trouble writing for the last couple of weeks. But I give it all to God.
Monica says
Hi Kathryn, I am visiting your space from Wanda’s “Friday Five.” This line from your post is my favorite: ” I surrender to stop constantly swimming upstream, against the current, and instead try to lean into the rhythms of life.” Surrendering our will to God’s will and perfect plan for our lives is often challenging and exponentially so, depending on the season of our lives. I don’t have any children, but I’m a fairly new wife of just over a year and could relate so much to your post. My issue is figuring out how to discipline myself and adjust to my changing life and to know when God is nudging me to yield to life’s interruptions as divine pauses. I thoroughly enjoyed your post. Trust that when the writing does flow it will be the words God intended for you to share. And they will bless others, like me. Thank you for sharing.
Kathryn says
Surrendering to change is not easy – especially for those of us who like to be in control and have a plan for everything 🙂 Trying to learn to live into those rhythms of life and listen more. So glad you stopped by today!
Angel @ Finding The Inspiring says
Surrender. Rest. Leaning into the “rhythms of life so that we can complete the race He sets before us.” Thank you for reminding us to say yes to these things and no to lesser things. Blessings Kathryn!
Samantha Landrus says
Oh girly! Me too! I’m finding a gap between my ideal and “the natural rhythm of life.” (Love that, by the way). Writing and exercise are my two overtakers. Neither one takes very long but squeezing them into life’s rythym don’t always work the way I plan. As a result, I get frustrated. I don’t get as much done as I planned. My efforts are forced. So, I too, am accepting slow down and rest. It’s funny how God handles the rest. Take it easy my friend!
Kathryn says
Finding that ‘rhythm of life’ is SO hard (at least for me)! I have so much I want to do, but never enough time for them all. I have to continually give my list to God and let Him prioritize it for me – and nudge me when I need a rest. 🙂
Crystal S. Hornback says
Oh girl, speaking right to me today! Thanks for this reminder… I hear it, too! Waving my flag and resting in Him today! #livefreeThursday
Kathryn says
I continually need this reminder! Guess I’m stubborn like that… surrender and rest are hard, but oh so necessary so we can continue to run the race God’s placed before us. Wave that flag of surrender proudly!