The Privilege of Reclining

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

In Living Faith by Melanie Rigney, the author explained Jesus’ request for the multitudes to recline before he fed them the loaves and fish was significant. First, only free people reclined while they ate, not servants or slaves. Second, it was close to the Passover. Surely some individuals in the crowd noted the implication.

Also, Jesus performed his miracle after the men stopped milling about. An indication we too might find a closer relationship with God if we tried reclining/resting for a few moments in prayer and meditation each day. The practice would lessen our stress, renew our energy, and perhaps even revitalized our faith and hope.

This past week, a yellow jacket stung me while I was helping my husband remove several nests from our back patio. Nasty stings. It takes 48 hours for the poison to peak and 5 to 10 days for it to work out of your system. Because of the location of the sting, typing was not comfortable, forcing me to limit my time at the computer. Up till then, I had been pushing myself to finish the edits on my newest novel. Was this God’s way of reminding me to slow down? Maybe, especially after a friend noted the shape of my reaction to the sting. 

Now, I don’t believe it was God’s will that I was stung. He used that opportunity to remind me not to become so caught up in tasks, I forget it is a privilege to recline, to rest from constant activity.  Especially when I often suffer from amnesia.

 Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to discipline me when needed, to guide me back to the right path, and to offer assurance I am still loved even though I’ve strayed. Amen.

 

 

Pausing

Photo by FunkyFocus @Pixabay

Since it’s a thirty-four-mile drive (one way) to major shopping and doctors, my husband and I lump all our errands together. Monday was the usual marathon.  

By the time we got home, we were both tired and grumpy, and even grumpier when I realized we had forgotten Cooper’s thyroid meds.

I groaned. We’d never make it back before the vet’s office closed.

Only good thing, Cooper wouldn’t run out of medication until Thursday, but I resigned myself to just get it over with and go back tomorrow. I hated the idea. The day after being in town, I wanted to relax.

The debate still raged in my mind when I opened my devotions the next morning.

From Living Faith Devotional

 

God gave me permission to rest. 

I listened.  

Not only did I have the chance to recharge my energy, but my hairdresser also returned my call regarding a hair appointment. She had an opening Wednesday. Waiting saved me three back-to-back trips.

I usually put prayer and meditation first, but now and then, I succumb to the panicked urge to jump up and start my To Do List. A decision I often regret.

Thank you, Lord, for urging me to pause and rest rather than running from dawn to dusk, worried about many things. Amen.