St. Maarten

Happy Sunday everyone!

I write to you from the beautiful island of St. Maarten situated in the Caribbean. I’m sitting on our patio that overlooks one of the zillion pools at the resort and the marina. I can’t complain. I won’t complain =)

All last week I talked about finishing this year out strong and different ways to accomplish that task. (I hope you were able to read them) If there is one thing that I noticed from the plane rideS over here and just being in a place where no one expects anything of me but to chill out, enjoy myself, and spend money it’s that…I need rest. I feel like I’m about to break down lol.

I guess I already knew this from the recent body shut downs, emergency room visits, restless nights, and not so stable emotions lol. If I want to finish this year out strong I think the main thing I need to do this week is rest.

Same for you! You’ve been running around all year doing, doing, doing, and not taking enough time for yourself. Not taking enough time to see what you’re body and spirit are trying to tell you. You may not have a chance to travel to St. Maarten or even to another zip code, but you have got to make time to chill out and reflect on what it is that you need so that you can better serve whomever you serve. 

I wrote a daily devotion in the beginning of October entitled “I mentioned rest”…I feel led to share that with you again on this day: 

What is rest? According to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary it is to cease work or movement in order to relax or recover strength; place or be placed so as to stay in a specified position; be based on; depend on. 

I want to use these three definitions to encourage you today!

1) Cease work or movement in order to relax or recover strength

So many of you are pouring out in abundance probably to the point you don’t realize how much. You probably won’t realize until you attempt to pour out and there is nothing left to give. When we run out of steam, run out of gas we are no good to anyone. When we see the gaslight come on in our cars we know it’s time to refuel! We have to figure out what those gaslights are in our own lives!

My hope is that you won’t need a reminder light but that you will take time to refuel at least weekly so that you’re body doesn’t completely put you out of commission. Sometimes you have to cease work and movement to recover your strength. 

2. Place or be placed so as to stay in a specified position

Lie down and chill out for a while. No computer, no phone, no lines of communication in hand. Just lie for a second. You don’t have to do it all day or even for an hour, just take a moment and be. We often feel guilty for lying down and resting our physical bodies. My thing is, if you are maximizing your time throughout the day and not wasting it with unproductive things then there is no reason to feel guilty. If you are accomplishing your goals throughout the day then you can look at moments of rest as a productive part of your day as well.

3. Be based on; depend on

I hope you know where this one is going! We have to lean and depend on God. As we do he will continue to guide us to the activities he wants us to participate in, people he wants us to help, and jobs we need to take on. Lean on him for understanding and let him guide you to everything. I believe that when we do that we will find our hearts, minds, and bodies more at rest than ever before!
[end of quoting myself lol]

As far as this week goes: 

I plan to explore the island and surrounding islands and be a real life tourist! But I also plan to chill and get in tune with myself and my God. I know that it will put me in a way better position to serve YOU my readers and the others that I work with on a weekly basis. Will there be daily devotions this week? I don’t know. If I feel led and there is internet access I sure will give them to you! 

I’m quite sure I’ll have an easier time posting on facebook and instagram so don’t forget to follow on there! 
Facebook.com/TruthThruTruth 
Instagram: @TruthThruTruth

Regardless, we should be back to our regularly scheduled program starting next Sunday. But…I’ll let God lead on that one ;) 

Let’s rest guys!
 

---