From his fixed throne he beholds all who dwell on the earth, He who fashioned the heart of each, he who knows all their works. // Psalm 33:14-15
I slowly lift my head from the pillow and glance around the living room. Heaps of blankets are scattered across the floor. My children are sleeping, each with a damp washcloth on their foreheads. There are piles everywhere. Unwashed dishes. Empty tissue boxes. Floors that need to be swept and tables that need to be wiped.
Amid my bleary-eyed exhaustion, I want to get up and start cleaning. I want to ignore my weakened body and prove to myself that I can power through anything. It is pride that is fueling these thoughts. Pride that sought to convince me that I was not worthy of rest.
However, during this time Jesus spoke tenderly to my heart: “Rest . . . I am the Healer.” Out of obedience I knew that I had to surrender everything, but especially my pride. Stripped of all my abilities to perform, I had to simply rest, and be restored.
Sister, remember that rest is holy. I invite you to contemplate how the Lord is calling you to rest more. Sometimes we can forget the sacredness of sabbath. The beauty of embracing a time to pause and recover. A time to allow Jesus to be our healer.
Our Savior, the Lover of our soul knows everything that we need. May we lay down at His feet in restful gratitude and allow Him to restore us.
Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy. She enjoys the miracles of family life, strong coffee, and encountering others on this journey to sainthood. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women.
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