How Does a Mother of Four Rest?

Psalm 23:1-2 says “The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm waters.”

For me, my green pastures probably don’t look like regular green pastures. I take delight in what isn’t considered resting. I love to be up and cooking for my family, I find it relaxing and soothing. From planning the dinners for the week to prepping and chopping, it is so rewarding because when the meal is done, I get to enjoy what I’ve made with my family. Gardening is therapeutic for me as well. These are not the green pastures the Lord is talking about in Psalm 23. The Lord is talking about resting in Him.

As a young mother when my first two kids, Anabella and Sophia, were toddlers, I was so hungry and thirsty for the Lord. I wanted and longed for time to just soak up in His Word. But I felt guilty because I was so busy being a mother I couldn’t find the time! Then a sweet friend of mine told me that the time I spend with my two young daughters, teaching them and helping them every day, is also an expression of love. Jesus is love and loving my kids was doing His work. I didn’t feel so guilty after that.

If you do have young toddlers spend as much time as you can with them, they grow so fast. Did you know we have an app at Granite Creek that can help you with your kids? It follows along with our weekly curriculum so you can grow in Jesus together. It’s called the “Parent Cue” App. It’s really fun, informational and age appropriate. It has helped me a lot. I highly recommend it!

The importance of Sabbath and taking time to rest is hard for me to do. I am not one to sit EVER. I like to keep going from the time I wake up until I close my eyes at night. There is always something to do. I’m never bored.

So when 2020 began, we decided as a family to go for walks and get into shape. On one of our walks my oldest, Anabella, challenged me to a race! We are both competitive. So without stretching, we took off running as fast as we could. Not good, because I’m no “spring chicken.” In my head yes, my body nope. In the race I damaged my heel and Anabella totally beat me. I hurt my heel so badly, I was in pain for months. This happened in February. By the time Father’s Day came, I couldn’t take the pain anymore and I could barely walk on it. After a trip to Urgent Care, it turns out I gave myself Plantar Fasciitis. Guess how you relieve the pain? The doctor told me to stay off my feet!

So, in this chapter of life God is teaching me to just sit. To sit and rest. Even God rested, right? It is not easy. The Lord is teaching me to not do everything on my own and to ask for help. My kids have really stepped up to help with good attitudes. I am learning that I need to make time to replenish and refocus and to be always growing towards the Lord. At Granite Creek for our Creekers our Sabbath is Sunday. We strive to make your Sunday service a replenishing time; a time to refocus on the Lord, starting your week off in worship and the Word of God. The Lord wants to fill your cup with His goodness. He wants to pour into you so you can pour God’s goodness and love out to others.

So please Granite Creekers do take time out for yourself to grow, replenish and refocus on God. Even if it’s10 minutes of prayer. The Lord longs to spend time with you, to restore you to feel refreshed in Him. Blessings to you who took time out to read this, may it help you and put a smile on your face.