Finding REST in God's Word
My friend, Mary Larmoyeux, writes a blog about grandparenting, The Grand Connection. This week, she asked the question, If you could go back in time ... what would you do differently?
Mary explained, "Sometimes I wonder what I would do differently if I could somehow turn back the hands of time and be a young mother again ... knowing what has taken me decades to learn.”
Then Mary asked her readers, "What would you do differently as a young mom ... knowing what you now know?"
As a young mom, I often found myself restless and worried about many things. I still struggle with fear, doubt, and unbelief as a mother of adult children and grandmother. I’ve had to face reality that I can’t change this fault about myself. But these times of crisis in my faith have often brought me to my knees in prayer, desperate for answers and peace.
Phillippians 4: 5-7 says, "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
As I attempt to focus on God promise of peace in His Word, I’ve discovered a helpful acrostic—REST.
• Remember, the Lord is near.
• Exalt the Lord for my blessings in Christ.
• Surrender my requests to God in prayer, with thanksgiving.
• Trust the Lord to guard my heart and my minds with His peace.
I can't tell you the many restless nights that this REST acrostic helped me fall asleep and find peace. Dwelling on my regrets usually adds to my negative thoughts, but Mary’s question reminds me of the value of God’s Word in my life now. And I’m grateful that I’ve learned to go to the scriptures for guidance, instead of trying to figure things out on my own.
Thanks, Mary, for reminding me of how BLESSED I am to have God's Word in my life.
What came to your mind when you read Mary’s questions? “What would you do differently as a young mom (or dad)…knowing what has taken (you) decades to learn?”
Photo/Jordan Family
Mary explained, "Sometimes I wonder what I would do differently if I could somehow turn back the hands of time and be a young mother again ... knowing what has taken me decades to learn.”
Then Mary asked her readers, "What would you do differently as a young mom ... knowing what you now know?"
As a young mom, I often found myself restless and worried about many things. I still struggle with fear, doubt, and unbelief as a mother of adult children and grandmother. I’ve had to face reality that I can’t change this fault about myself. But these times of crisis in my faith have often brought me to my knees in prayer, desperate for answers and peace.
Phillippians 4: 5-7 says, "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
As I attempt to focus on God promise of peace in His Word, I’ve discovered a helpful acrostic—REST.
• Remember, the Lord is near.
• Exalt the Lord for my blessings in Christ.
• Surrender my requests to God in prayer, with thanksgiving.
• Trust the Lord to guard my heart and my minds with His peace.
I can't tell you the many restless nights that this REST acrostic helped me fall asleep and find peace. Dwelling on my regrets usually adds to my negative thoughts, but Mary’s question reminds me of the value of God’s Word in my life now. And I’m grateful that I’ve learned to go to the scriptures for guidance, instead of trying to figure things out on my own.
Thanks, Mary, for reminding me of how BLESSED I am to have God's Word in my life.
What came to your mind when you read Mary’s questions? “What would you do differently as a young mom (or dad)…knowing what has taken (you) decades to learn?”
Photo/Jordan Family
Karen, I love your acrostic for REST! And Phillippians 4: 5-7 is a great verse to live out. Also, love the picture of you and the grands!
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Thanks, Mary. Well, that's 5 of our 6 grands in the pic with me. [Plus, we have #7 on the way!] Glad you enjoyed the acrostic--hope it helps you find some REST! Blessings, kj
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