WHEN WE NEED REST
I thought I’d sleep like a baby, but my mind was a whirly-gig. I needed rest, something to soothe my spinning mind.
We’d spent a lovely day with our granddaughter and her fiancé in Half Moon Bay, California. Lunch at Sam’s was, as always, superb. Eating outside on one of our recently infrequent sunny/cloudy days without rain was a treat. The calamari was succulent, our meals delicious. We breathed in the fresh ocean air, watched sailboats bob in the harbor, surfers in that frigid water.
After dropping Weston at the airport later that day, Gabrielle spent the evening with an aunt, uncle and their son. Don and I were in bed when she returned, but I only heard the garage door once, so wanted to ensure the door was closed.
And it was. I locked the back door and returned to bed, but my mind was wide awake. After reading awhile, I decided to take up my sweetheart’s offer to wake him when I couldn’t sleep. Nudging him gently, I said “Honey, can you just hold me for a little while? I can’t sleep.”
Don put his arms around me and I laid my head on his shoulder. I felt safe and loved, my mind and body relaxed and I fell fast asleep in my husband’s arms. Evidently, I didn’t even wake when he got up during the night. Don said when he returned to bed, he had to move my arm to get back in, but I still didn’t move. Secure, I rested in his embrace.
Isn’t that like our heavenly Father? He tells us to rest in him, to bring him into our needs, our troubles. https://www.carolloewen.com/restore/
And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
Yes, sometimes we need arms with skin on, and God gives us spouses, family members, friends to provide those. But there are times when no one else is available—or when God wants us to rely on him rather than on those around us.
- When we are widowed or ill
- Bullied or feel we have no friends
- Single and desiring a life partner
- A caregiver over an extended period of time, or
- Feel alone, even with others around us
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. Psalm 68:5
He is there with us … to comfort, console, bring peace when our minds are troubled.
Do you need rest today? Talk with the Father about your concerns and allow him to give you both wisdom and rest. See five steps to finding rest in God at https://www.todayintheword.org/issues/2020/october/5-steps-to-finding-rest-in-god/#:~:text=God%20created%20rest%20for%20our,resting%20in%20God%20truly%20means.
Casting all your care on him for he cares for you. I Peter 5:7
What a lovely story! I’m so glad we can rest in the arms of our Lord. But how sweet that he allowed you to find it in the arms of your sweetheart. I miss Half Moon Bay! We had one of our anniversaries there. <3
Laura, I love reading that you spent an anniversary in Half Moon Bay. It is beautiful. Thank you for your comment, and for God’s grace that holds me, but also allowed me to find rest in Don’s arms! I really enjoyed reading THE MIRACLE OF US: Confessions of an Online Dater. God’s work and your faith through all the obstacles you faced are uplifting and encouraging. Thank you!
Carol, I loved where you said “sometimes we need arms with skin on.” That made me smile and laugh. What a comfort to have human touch from a friend or family member when we’re struggling. I loved your example with Don, what sweet generosity. Indeed, our Heavenly Father gives us the ultimate hope through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that lives in us comforts and encourages us when we need it. Thank you for the scripture you shared, always wonderful.
I’m chuckling with you Grace. Yes, arms with skin on are a blessing; as is God’s encircling us when we are alone and have no one with skin on nearby. Love you!