Although Thursday mornings have been difficult in the past and may continue to be, I have been learning to look for the best things in my day and to find hope and joy in those things. Thursday has become the one day of the week when I actually wake up before or at the same time as Scott. I actually take a shower and blowdry my hair! I have even sometimes been able to find the time to make Scott breakfast and lunch before he heads off to work. When Ady wakes up, we eat a yummy breakfast which is usually scrambled eggs, and then we finish getting ready for Bible Study. Then we're off to church! Ady plays in the nursery, and I get to have some adult time in God's Word. By the time we get home, Ady is ready for a bottle, blankie, and binkie(the holy nap trinity at our house). Then, I usually have around 2 hours to do what I need or want to do. Thursdays don't sound too bad afterall, do they?
Well, there is one part of my Thursday scene that I love and have come to find such hope in. I would even go so far as to say that it is the "cherry on top" of my day. What has once been a hard day of the week has evolved into my favorite just because of this one precious moment. Let me describe it for you.
When we get home from Bible study, I gently get Ady out of her carseat and we go inside. We give Charlie a nice pet and greeting, and then we climb the steps up to her room. After getting her "ba-ba", "nee-nee", and binkie, we snuggle up in the rocking chair. It's important to tell you that Ady hasnt been as cuddly as she used to be, and she rarely falls asleep on me anymore. You see, she is becoming more and more independent with every passing day. Well, on Thursday mornings Adyson is usually so worn out from playing at church that she can barely keep her fluttering eyelids open for half of her bottle. When she finishes, she snuggles up right into my chest and falls deeply asleep. She is so at rest and to be honest, so am I. I rest my nose on her head and breathe in her sweet baby smell. I always find myself almost in tears out of the gratitude I feel to the Lord for giving me such a sweet gift. How humbling to be her mommy and yet how wonderful. The last few weeks, every Thursday I have quietly hummed blessings and prayers over my sweet little one and tried to savor every moment. What a gift. Today, as I had my sleeping angel snuggled in my arms, I had an interesting thought. I wondered if God feels a little bit like I do when we snuggle up into His arms and find rest in Him? Does He feel so proud of His children when we look to Him for comfort? Does He just savor the moment of spending close moment with Him? Somehow, I think that my feelings are but a shadow of the feelings that He has for His trusting children. I was reminded of two passages in Scripture that sent goosebumps down my arms.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want [or need anything else]. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul... Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death [the valley of deep darkness], I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:1-4
What a Good Shepherd we have as believers in Christ. When we trust Him and cling to His guidance and protection, He gives us satisfaction in Him (rids us of restlessness); He provides a place for us to rest and find peace; and He restores our souls. He is with us. Oh what a comfort that is! I dont know about you, but I feel such peace in that. We can rest our heads on His chest and find our true restoration in the safety of His protecting arms.
"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Does anyone else find hope in this verse? Come to Jesus and He will give you rest. He is gentle and humble, and in Him we will find rest for our souls. What a promise. I dont think that this verse promises that trusting in Him will secure us an easy ride on earth, but I do believe that walking with Him under His yoke, will provide an unexplainable peace and rest and the promise of an eternal hope and future with Him. I yearn for His peace and hope, and to find restoration in His shepherding and gentle arms.
Okay, I better stop now or no one will want to read another one of my blogs because this one is so long. I just felt like sharing some of my heart today.
On another note, I did mention posting some pictures in my last blog. How about if I just post one? It was taken from our hike this last weekend, and I think it is pretty cute. Have a great day!
How about those sunglasses? hehehe! Colorado babe!
