Surrender to Silence....
"Give us today our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
Last week was a roller coaster. To say the least.
On Sunday, I could feel my body coming down with something. Something yucky.
My throat hurt, my muscles ached, and I was just dog-tired.
By the next day, I was full-blown sick. Sigh.
I rested, because, honestly, I didn't feel like doing anything else. It was a chore just to take my kids to school.
By Wednesday, I was still in the same condition, yet now, I had completely lost my voice.
My throat felt like glass shards were burrowing deep into my tonsils each time I swallowed. Nice.
I was so frustrated. Of all the weeks this whole year, why did THIS have to be the week I was sick?
My daughter's birthday was this week. I had a to-do list a mile and a half long. And, to top it off, I was scheduled to speak at a women's Christmas dinner that Friday night.
I had stuff to do!
Getting sick was not in my schedule.
My speech was already prepared, thank goodness, but I had planned on going over it each day just to make sure I had it nailed.
Well, that surely didn't happen. I had no voice. No energy, and no motivation.
On Thursday, I was still not getting much better.
Okay, God...what in the world is happening? You know that I have to speak tomorrow night. You know that I need to be well. You know that I have not had any time to go over my speech this week because of my physical condition....
What's going on??
I remember specifically asking Him if I had done something wrong? Do you not want me to speak on Friday, Lord? I need to know what's happening here. I trust You to make me better, but will you make me better? Or do you want me to not speak? I need an answer, and quickly.
All day long on Thursday I prayed.
I felt the Lord telling me to rest. Rest. Rest.
But, I don't want to rest, Lord, I have things to do!
I heard Him speak to my heart, "Trust me, Jill. Rest. I have a plan in this."
I finally surrendered and told Him I trusted Him completely. There was nothing I could do to make myself better, my health was completely in His Big, Capable Hands.
Friday morning, I woke up and felt like a new person. Not a hint of tiredness, in fact, I had a spring in my step.
I couldn't believe it. Suddenly, I was absolutely healed.
Not even an ounce of a sore throat. Or achy muscles.
I was able to walk on that stage Friday night and talk to those women completely well.
Here is what God taught me last week...
He is in control.
When He says "rest", He means it.
He knows what He is doing.
When I surrender to Him, His plan begins to unfold.
He had already planned what would happen that Friday night, and He needed my spirit and body to be refreshed.
God reminded me of something He taught me two years ago.
A couple of weeks before Christmas, I came down with the flu.
I was so mad, because I still had so much to do. However, after a week and a half of being down and out, and I mean down and out, I saw what was happening.
My body was resting. Although my immune system was fighting this nasty flu, my spirit was getting some much needed rest and refreshment.
That Christmas, the Lord showed me what Christmas was really about. Being home. Being surrounded by my precious family, watching corny Christmas movies (which I LOVE!), and being completely surrendered to His Mercy.
Since that Christmas two years ago, I have a new perspective on Christmas. Instead of rushing here and there, spending too much money, and being in a mad dash, I want to slow down. I want to soak in every Christmas light, reminiscence about every homemade ornament, and focus on Jesus.
When I want to over-do-it, spend more money than I have, stress out about decorating, or just doing too much...
I think about that stable that Jesus was born in . I think about the simplicity of His birth. No big hospital. No red carpet entrance. Just a mom, a dad, and the birth of The Savior.
God wants my heart surrendered to Him, not to being busy. He is found in the quiet moments In the smiles of my children. In the glow of our colored Christmas tree lights. In the sound of hearing my momma's voice on the other end of the phone. In the joy and excitement of my nephew, who is serving in the Navy in Hawaii, coming home for Christmas. In the Christmas eve service at our church.
He is found.
So, as I rest this Christmas season, I pray that you will too. I pray that we won't get caught up with celebrating as the world celebrates, but celebrate as He would have us celebrate. With a surrendered heart, and a spirit at peace.
Each day is a gift. Unwrap it, and see the absolute wonder in what His Hands have provided. He is our daily bread. We don't need to worry about tomorrow, He has that taken care of already.
unwrapping the gift of this day,
jill
Last week was a roller coaster. To say the least.
On Sunday, I could feel my body coming down with something. Something yucky.
My throat hurt, my muscles ached, and I was just dog-tired.
By the next day, I was full-blown sick. Sigh.
I rested, because, honestly, I didn't feel like doing anything else. It was a chore just to take my kids to school.
By Wednesday, I was still in the same condition, yet now, I had completely lost my voice.
My throat felt like glass shards were burrowing deep into my tonsils each time I swallowed. Nice.
I was so frustrated. Of all the weeks this whole year, why did THIS have to be the week I was sick?
My daughter's birthday was this week. I had a to-do list a mile and a half long. And, to top it off, I was scheduled to speak at a women's Christmas dinner that Friday night.
I had stuff to do!
Getting sick was not in my schedule.
My speech was already prepared, thank goodness, but I had planned on going over it each day just to make sure I had it nailed.
Well, that surely didn't happen. I had no voice. No energy, and no motivation.
On Thursday, I was still not getting much better.
Okay, God...what in the world is happening? You know that I have to speak tomorrow night. You know that I need to be well. You know that I have not had any time to go over my speech this week because of my physical condition....
What's going on??
I remember specifically asking Him if I had done something wrong? Do you not want me to speak on Friday, Lord? I need to know what's happening here. I trust You to make me better, but will you make me better? Or do you want me to not speak? I need an answer, and quickly.
All day long on Thursday I prayed.
I felt the Lord telling me to rest. Rest. Rest.
But, I don't want to rest, Lord, I have things to do!
I heard Him speak to my heart, "Trust me, Jill. Rest. I have a plan in this."
I finally surrendered and told Him I trusted Him completely. There was nothing I could do to make myself better, my health was completely in His Big, Capable Hands.
Friday morning, I woke up and felt like a new person. Not a hint of tiredness, in fact, I had a spring in my step.
I couldn't believe it. Suddenly, I was absolutely healed.
Not even an ounce of a sore throat. Or achy muscles.
I was able to walk on that stage Friday night and talk to those women completely well.
Here is what God taught me last week...
He is in control.
When He says "rest", He means it.
He knows what He is doing.
When I surrender to Him, His plan begins to unfold.
He had already planned what would happen that Friday night, and He needed my spirit and body to be refreshed.
God reminded me of something He taught me two years ago.
A couple of weeks before Christmas, I came down with the flu.
I was so mad, because I still had so much to do. However, after a week and a half of being down and out, and I mean down and out, I saw what was happening.
My body was resting. Although my immune system was fighting this nasty flu, my spirit was getting some much needed rest and refreshment.
That Christmas, the Lord showed me what Christmas was really about. Being home. Being surrounded by my precious family, watching corny Christmas movies (which I LOVE!), and being completely surrendered to His Mercy.
Since that Christmas two years ago, I have a new perspective on Christmas. Instead of rushing here and there, spending too much money, and being in a mad dash, I want to slow down. I want to soak in every Christmas light, reminiscence about every homemade ornament, and focus on Jesus.
When I want to over-do-it, spend more money than I have, stress out about decorating, or just doing too much...
I think about that stable that Jesus was born in . I think about the simplicity of His birth. No big hospital. No red carpet entrance. Just a mom, a dad, and the birth of The Savior.
God wants my heart surrendered to Him, not to being busy. He is found in the quiet moments In the smiles of my children. In the glow of our colored Christmas tree lights. In the sound of hearing my momma's voice on the other end of the phone. In the joy and excitement of my nephew, who is serving in the Navy in Hawaii, coming home for Christmas. In the Christmas eve service at our church.
He is found.
So, as I rest this Christmas season, I pray that you will too. I pray that we won't get caught up with celebrating as the world celebrates, but celebrate as He would have us celebrate. With a surrendered heart, and a spirit at peace.
Each day is a gift. Unwrap it, and see the absolute wonder in what His Hands have provided. He is our daily bread. We don't need to worry about tomorrow, He has that taken care of already.
unwrapping the gift of this day,
jill
