Get Off The Wheel

Fall is in the air.
I can smell it.
The sky is brilliant blue.
The leaves are showing their first tinge of color.

Leaves are crunching underfoot and making a patchwork of colors on the lawn.
Orb spiders seem to be everywhere; the intricate web a work of art.
There is a spider web that is literally over our walkway next to our deck.
It is high enough not to be disturbed, but sticky enough to catch unsuspecting insects.

Fall; the crisp air rejuvenates.
What a productive day I had.
Windows washed, hardwood floors dust mopped, soup made, desert baked.
Music that I listened to in high school and college playing in the background.

Some women long for vacations to exotic places.
My idea of a respite is having the house all to myself.
I can play my music loudly and sing along; I can dance around my kitchen.
I can eat lunch at the counter and catch up on some reading.

Simple pleasures.
I guess I can be a bit of a homebody.
As much as I love people, I enjoy alone time as well.

When my oldest daughter was around 6 or 7 years old she learned a new word.
She loved to use it and always made me laugh as to HOW she used it.

She would be outside playing with her sister or other girls in the neighborhood.
Suddenly she would come inside, even though nothing was wrong;
She would take off her shoes and sit on the sofa with a favorite toy or book.
She would ask for a snack and say, Mom, I have to regroup.

I have no idea where she heard that word but it became HER word.
I have to regroup.
Smart girl.
If we all could remember that word.

She would have some juice and goldfish crackers and rest for about 15-20 minutes.
Rejuvenated, she would bring her things to the kitchen and go back outside.
I could count on her doing this in the middle of her play.
She still knows how to be still and finds that stillness necessary to recharge her batteries.

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves, to a quiet place and get some rest.”
(Mark 6:30,31)

How wonderful that Jesus said this to His apostles.
Come to Me and regroup.
Come and sit for a while. Feed on My Word. Drink the Living Water I provide.
Rejuvenate in Me.

We can get very weary living day to day.
Sameness of our routine, and seemingly unattainable dreams keeps weighing us down.

God will speak to this people, to whom He said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and “This is the place of repose” but they would not listen. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there so that they will go and fall backward, be injured, snared, and captured. (Isaiah 28: 11-13)

Do and Do, rule on rule.
That’s what our life becomes when we don’t listen when Jesus calls us to rest.
Keep moving. Keep busy.
Life resembles a hamster on a wheel; round and round, going nowhere.

What lie have we bought into?
Cell phones keep us accessible 24 hours a day.
Children’s activities keep families practically living in their car.
Dinner is not around the table, but in the back seat of the car; on the run.

STOP!
REGROUP!
GET OFF THE WHEEL!

The Holy Spirit is the best prioritize-er.
The Holy Spirit will always point us to Christ.

Before adding another activity, ask a few questions:
What will our family have to give up if we do this?
What will our family gain if we do this?
If we add this, will we have time for stillness?
Are we too busy?

Wise words: I have to regroup.
Jesus is calling us to rest in Him.
Are we listening?

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)