To Suffer to be Lacking

I started reading a great little book called Choosing Rest.  A dear friend, and fellow book lover, stopped by unexpectedly last week, and suggested that I read it.  So far it has been a huge encouragement to me.  One of the lines that has settled into my heart is:  "Rest also means, 'to suffer to be lacking.'"  I was puzzled by this at first, but I have latched onto it as a special treasure.  It has freed me from feeling that I have to have all my work done before I can rest.  Part of resting is stopping, being grateful for the work I have to do, and trusting God to see that what needs finished gets finished.

I like to push myself to "get 'er done."  Sometimes God doesn't want us to finish a project in one sitting.  He leaves work unfinished, and calls us to take a break.  It is difficult for me to leave things unfinished.  I have to turn to God and thank Him for what I have done so far, and pray that He will complete the task, either by allowing me to come back to it, or by providing someone else to finish it.  I have been surprised at how peaceful I can be, when I trust God with all the loose ends of my life.  I am praying more, and I am being more thankful for all of the work that God has given me to do.

I have also been blessed by some encouraging words from several friends.  I must be sounding a bit beleaguered here.  They have reminded me that I am still in the trenches of parenting.  I keep thinking that now that everyone is at school at least part time, I should be living large.  I hate to burst the bubble for all of you young Moms, but there is still a lot to do while the kids are at school.  I am still behind.  I still get crabby about all of the hustle.  I am seeking opportunities to be thankful, especially in front of the kids, for all of the fullness of our lives.  The ladies have been a cool drink of water to my thirsty soul.

The funny thing is, that the craziness around our home doesn't seem to bother the kids much at all.  I asked them if they feel crowded in our house, and they said no.  I am finding that the discontent is pretty much all in my heart.  The kids don't mind the noise.  They are doing well in school.  They get enough food and sleep.  They are doing well in their music lessons, and are generally happy people.  Even my sweet Martha came home and said she is very happy.  She has enough food, she has people that love her, she gets to see her friends, she loves her dog, and she has hope for a bright future.  These are the things that I need to thank God for every single time I start to feel unsettled.  My heart is restless because I allow it to be.  When I turn back to face my Lord, thank Him for all of the work He has trusted me with, and realize that the lacking will be filled by Him alone, the peace flows over me like a warm bath calming my spirit.

So, take a break and celebrate this advent season.  Sit down with an egg nog latte and rejoice that God is good.  In the midst of your shopping, stop in on a friend and say hello.  Let your kids wrap some of those presents, the paper is going to get ripped off anyway.  If you forget to get a gift for a teacher, it's okay, God will bless them anyway.  Be thankful for all of the people you have in your life that you have to shop for.  Sing Christmas carols, and in all of it give thanks.