Devotionals for the Heart: Lessons on learning how to slow down and rest

Returning and Rest
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”–Isaiah 30:15 (ESV)

I wish it were easier for me to choose to slow down and rest. I tend to keep going until I drop.

If I am not careful, I begin to rely on my own tenacity and the power of momentum, rather than God’s Holy Spirit. Then, I lose sight of the purpose of what I’m doing. I feel stressed and frustrated. My service to God becomes drudgery. Sometimes, the Lord has to allowed me to become sick simply so that I will slow down.

I went through one of these cycles recently. Momentum had built and I was going from one good thing to another. I admit that I knew I couldn’t handle much more. My husband was also feeling stressed, and our children were acting up more than usual. One night over dinner, I suggested that our whole family “unplug” as much as possible for a few days.

I don’t deny that it is easy to unwind by flipping on the television, but is it really the best way to unwind? Is it possible that God longs for us to see Him as our primary source of rest and refreshment? Not just seeking Him with a Bible reading plan or study outline, but by coming before Him with no agenda other than to sit quietly and enjoy His presence?

When I slow down, whether it’s by unplugging or intentionally putting the brakes on a busy schedule, I become more aware of His presence. If I have a fear of missing out, He gently reminds me that what I gain is going to be far greater than what I miss, and in the future I may find myself in a better position to receive His blessings simply because I’ve taken this time to sit at His feet.

It may even be that my busy schedule and technological distractions are causing me to miss out. 

Yes, we all have things that we need to accomplish and we absolutely should be busy about the Lord’s work. But I admit that I feel a certain sense of connectedness when I have my hand wrapped around my phone. I am interacting with people and aware of what’s going on in the world around me. None of these things are wrong in and of themselves but are they the best? Have I chosen the good part as Mary did (Luke 10:42)? Or does knowing how much is going on out there and trying to get as much done as possible, leave us fearful and concerned over many things as Martha was (Luke 10:41)?

Every time I think of going back into my normal routine, I wonder if God is done yet, or if there’s more He wants to show me if I just hold on a little longer. Personally, as I relax and enjoy the quiet in the house, I am tempted to ask whether I even want to go back to that! I will have to eventually but when I do, I want to know that I’ve drawn all the strength I need for the next busy stretch.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, thank You for the quiet moments. If I have not taken time to sit at Your feet for a while, help me to choose to slow down, to unplug, or do whatever I need to in order to draw strength from You. I want to glean everything I can from these quiet moments and draw confidence from Your presence. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Make Room” (song) by Jonathan McReynolds. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children. 

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.

Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.

Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.

She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.

Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

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Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/

Devotionals for the Heart: Rose Bushes and God's Grace

The Scent of Grace
A devotional by Paula Moldenhauer

"As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us."

 — 2 Corinthians 2:15 (TLB)

Any parent of multiple children between the ages of 8 and 18 know the drill. Even when you limit their outside activities, there are days when you wish you could clone yourself. I still remember one of many weekends years ago when our family of six endured three straight days of nonstop running. Two of our boys played in a hockey tournament, and our daughter competed in a gymnastics meet. Though the events were scheduled close together, they were in three different locations—none of which were on our side of town.

At the end of the push, we came home hungry and tired. After eating out between events, I didn’t feel I could pull the “let’s just get a pizza” card. I dug through the fridge, coming up with a big bowl of pasta and some veggies. Since I don’t have much storage in my kitchen, I have a pantry of sorts in our garage. I put the noodles into heat and rushed out the back door and down our steps, in hopes I had a jar of spaghetti sauce in the cabinet outside.

As I came down the stairs, I noticed a few blossoms on the rose bushes by the garage door. I wanted to enjoy them, but instead, I cringed at the weeds in their bed. Sighing, I continued my mad dash toward the door.

Suddenly, I screeched to a stop.

The fragrance of roses filled my senses.

I paused only a second, but in that moment I felt God. The perfume of the flowers took me out of my hurry mode long enough for me to experience beauty and tugged me toward the Divine.

I wish I could tell you I chose to stop and embrace the moment. Or that I at least breathed a prayer of thanksgiving. But I didn’t. I rushed into the garage, grabbed the sauce, and flew back up the stairs.

Real life consumed me. Feed the kids, clear the table, assign chores, sort the laundry, meet that writing deadline.

Gazing at the computer screen, too depleted to write, my mind went back to the rosebush.

Too often, I treat God’s grace like I treated the rose. I catch a whiff of its beauty and rush on, noticing all the little weeds of my life instead of embracing the wonder of amazing grace. A grace He pours over me and through me like sweet perfume.

I stared at the computer awhile, longing for that rosebush. Finally, I pushed my chair back, releasing myself from the next task on my to-do list. I needed to (literally) stop and smell a rose.

A light rain had fallen, and the air outside smelled damp instead of perfumed as I tramped down the back steps. I went to the blossom, stuck my nose right in the middle of that flower, and inhaled deeply. The fragrance was heavenly. I spent a couple of minutes pulling the unsightly weeds, pausing every little bit to sniff the rose.

You see where this is going.

It’s a joy to pause and let the wonder and beauty of Christ soak into our souls. When we inhale deeply of the fragrance of His character, the busyness, the irritations—the weeds—of life are more manageable. We recognize the sweet fragrance of His grace surrounding us, living in us, flowing from us.

Oh, Jesus! How I need Your grace. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. Teach me to breathe deeply, inhaling its perfume. Whether life is a blur or a saunter, it’s better when I dwell in Your fragrance.

~*~
Author Bio:

Author, speaker, and mom of four, Paula Moldenhauer encourages others to live free to flourish. She shares this message when speaking at women’s events, and it permeates her written work. 

Paula has published over 300 times in non-fiction markets and has a devotional book series, Soul Scents.  

Her first published novella, You’re a Charmer Mr. Grinch, was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards, and she now has six published works of fiction. Her most recent release is included in A Bouquet of Brides.

Paula and her husband, Jerry, are adjusting to a sometimes-empty nest in Colorado. Today’s devotion was adapted from her devotional book, Soul Scents: Rooted. 

Visit her at www.paulamoldenhauer.com and sign up for her newsletter to get a weekly Flourishing Moments and periodic updates on free days for her books.

For daily Flourishing Moments like Paula’s author/speaker page (https://www.facebook.com/PaulaMoldenhauerAuthor/).

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