It’s August. I wouldn’t normally think of this as a new season, as my default time of year for a season change would be September. But this year feels different.
It’s been a busy time since last November – so much coming and going and change and challenge. Now, being at home in the UK, I’m trying to rest. Rest is in itself a change of state -and it’s difficult.
Time for Rest
Rest is very elusive if you’re trying to master a new technology at the same time! Someone has very kindly given me a recycled lightweight tablet style laptop. I was excited to have something in Windows format to start writing a blog again, but I’ve got a learning curve to understand the new thing!
I will press on. And try not to get too distracted….or too hooked into trying to get my mind around this. I like to problem solve, but it’s actually quite mentally taxing.
Jesus and Rest
I need to meditate on some key scriptures.
Psalm 23.
Matthew 11:28-31
And, as I write those references down, I realise that I’m rushing to get things down in words. I’m now consciously slowing myself. This isn’t a task or a race. So, I’ll start with Psalm 23.
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:1-3 NIVUK
Actually, it was hard to get those verses into this blog. All sorts of challenges in finding my way around the new system!
I now need to stop for a while and rest….
Poem: Rest
I wrote a poem on the 1st August. It’s not finished but I’m adding it here.
Resting well takes effort. Its hard to enter in
Our minds are overactive. They set up such a din
Noisy thoughts intruding. Yet silence is our aim
But who is this I sense now? Oh I'm so glad You came!
For You are our Good Shepherd. The One who offers rest
And as we let You give us Peace we are forever blessed
Your Presence is our comfort. Your Words are full of power
You speak into our restlessness and change the day and hour
PS. If the poem does not appear on your email, please follow this link to my website and view the post there instead
http://www.poems-and-reflections.com
Change of approach
I’m stopping for now. I’ve changed from the new laptop to a mobile format that I’ve already mastered. The message is that rest is necessary before the new thing can be understood!
Be blessed today with His rest. True rest is only found in Jesus.
The Bakery 
This such a timely post, when so many things beg for our attention. It is a daily challenge to filter out the distractors. Paul made a comment that all things are permissable but not all is beneficial. Or words to that effect.. 1 Corinthians 6v12.
I have been pondering why as a child time seemed to last so long and now as an adult the time flies by too quickly.
I put myself into a child’s world and observed that I had little concept of “later on” or what “tomorrow ” really meant. Did it even exist? In fact anything other than the present moment was unknown to me. And I was very present in the now, without the complication of the future.
What bliss to become as little children and dwell in the Kingdom of the King of kings.
I look forward to the next flow of your poetry. Bless you Kate.
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Thank you, Allyson. What a helpful comment. I have just turned to 1 Corinthians 6:12…”I will not be mastered by anything…who truly is our Master…?
Yes, it’s as we become childlike that we enter the Kingdom of God. I also love Psalm 131…..”I do not concern myself with great matters….but I have calmed and quietened myself like a weaned child with its mother…
As I write this I am sitting in the lovely garden which has flourished under your hand in His!
Thank you for creating this restful place for us.
Blessing you, too, Allyson.
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I like this paraphrase of Ps23 by Toki Miyashina:
Psalm 23 for Busy People
The Lord is my Pace Setter, I shall not rush,
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals,
He provides me with images of stillness,
Which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency,
through calmness of mind; and his guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for his presence is here.
His timelessness, his all-importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
by anointing my head with his oils of tranquility,
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,
and dwell in his house for ever.
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A special poem indeed – for that is what this psalm is. I’ve been sitting quietly in the garden reflecting on the beauty of created things and writing another poem! Thank you for sharing this; it is so encouraging…..x
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