A pair of mallard ducks - devotional on how to rest and trust - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Sunday was a day of rest for me as I was growing up.

After church in the summer, my dad and I would often stop at the drive-in restaurant with those huge golden arches.  He always went to the screened window and ordered the same thing, a burger and fries for each of us.  And then, we’d eat lunch in our car in the parking space pushed up against the tall arborvitae bushes with our windows wide open and the breeze blowing in.  Our next stop was always the lake.  Sometimes we’d watch the sailboats race, or a ship come in, or just sit and look at the water.

I guess that was my dad’s idea of rest.

You might have thought that I would have preferred to be home playing with my friends, or swimming, or running down the beach.  But, I was content sitting with my dad in the car.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about theLord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.

Psalm 91:1-2

 

Without even knowing it, I was getting a lesson of what it means to rest in the Lord.

Sitting in the car with my dad was rest though I didn’t know it.

I didn’t feel the need to be doing… I was good to just be.

And best of all… I was with my dad.

I had all his attention and he had mine.

And there in our car, sitting next to my dad with the lake breezes blowing through the windows, I experienced safety and refuge from the world and all my cares.

My dad was a good dad.  He wasn’t a perfect dad by any stretch, but he always tried to do what was best and loved me fiercely.

I could talk to my dad about anything and I could trust him completely.

Though neither of us knew it, my dad was giving me a glimpse of an even more loving, caring, and trustworthy heavenly father.

 

Canada goose family paddling across the river - inspirational devotional on rest and trust - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

What’s heavy on your heart?

What’s making your spirit weary?

What keeps you awake at night?

Your loving heavenly father wants you to release those worries and cares to him… to give them up so you can rest with him and trust him.

Not just saying you trust him.

He wants you to live trust.  Exhale trust.

 

Black ducks on the river - inspirational thoughts on rest and trust - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Speak these words out loud…

This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.

 

When we speak it…we speak truth to our own ears, minds, and hearts.

Do you believe that God alone is your refuge and place of safety?

Is He really your God?  Do you really trust Him?

 

This Sora is a secretive brown and gray marsh bird - Inspiration devotional on rest and trust - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

I’ve found that the only thing that gets in the way of trusting Him is me.

Usually what I need to do is go sit in the car with my heavenly father just like I used to do with my dad (figuratively).  No agenda… just being with him.

It’s also helpful to get my perspective realigned.  Because in order to trust God well, I need to not trust myself and I need to see myself in light of him.  That means I need to acknowledge God for who He is…His character… His attributes, etc.

Then, things begin to get settled.

When I am in my place and He is in His place… I can rest… because God is my refuge, my place of safety, and I trust Him.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest…

When our whole trust is in Him… we breathe in rest.

We exhale… rest.

 

Are you feeling anxious or weary?

What do you need to change in order to live in His shelter and experience HIS rest?

 

 

American Coot - JoyDay! Devotional - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s JoyDay!

 

Each week we count seven things for which we grateful here in our community. I’d be delighted if you’ll join me.

I’ll start!

God, I’m thankful for…

  1. a dad that loved me well and in his own humble way showed me how to trust You.
  2. a quiet week so I could take time to enjoy Your glorious creation.
  3. Your love and grace and patience with me when I’m feeling grumbly or critical.
  4. my first bouquet of ranunculus this spring.
  5. knowing that you are healing me even when I don’t see evidence, yet.
  6. the return of the hummingbirds and getting my first visitor within 5 minutes of hanging my feeder.
  7. spring and how all nature exclaims Your beauty and creativity, Lord.

It’s YOUR turn!  Scroll down to the comment box and tap in your ‘seven’ and watch to see how your heart is lightened and your joy meter soars.  And then, come back again next week for JoyDay!  It’s a great habit for your week.

Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.

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If you found this post helpful….please pass it on to your friends.

P.S.  I took these photos down by the river the other evening.  The mallard ducks are pretty common, but it’s unusual to see the black ducks which are American Coots and I have never seen a marsh bird like the one in the rushes called a Sora before. The Sora is a hard to find bird, so I feel blessed in having made its acquaintance.  Hope you enjoyed them, too!

Comments

  1. Dolly Whitlock says

    Sweet. There is good advice for me here.I need to meditate on this a while. Thank you for sharing your dad with us, and I love the river and wildlife photos. Makes me homesick …

    • I’m sorry, Dolly, that you are living away from the place you love, Dolly. I pray that today as you meditate on the verses and God’s amazing love for you that you’ll see some aspect of God’s creation that will bless you and that you’ll find the same joy you used to get from the river. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to chat.
      May your day overflow with JOY!! xo

  2. Gwen says

    Yes this was such a tender and sweet post. I could picture this in my mind. And a perfect example of resting by our Heavenly Father’s side.
    I’ve needed so much rest lately. My doctors say it’s okay for now.
    1 So I’m trying not to fight this need for quiet but look for joy in the sounds of birds.
    2I’m enjoying quiet tonight
    3 broken appliance but we got a new one. Made us both a bit sad that it needed replacing.
    4. Safety
    5. New baby born to my great niece yesterday!!my great niece is my daughter’s age of nearly 30 so this was exciting news.
    6. Thankful for TV church and phones to keep me in touch

    • Isn’t it just like God to give me that reminder of my childhood for such a time as this?
      Dear Gwen, I’m so sorry that you’re in such great need of rest. I’m there too, and it IS really hard. {{hugs}} Praying that God renews you quickly.
      May you be overwhelmed by God’s goodness, peace, and rest this week! xo

  3. Mary Barber says

    Having been born into a Christian family, I don’t know what it is like to not love the Lord. I thank my Godly mother for that. Even though things didn’t always go right for her, she was steadfast in her love for Christ. She has gone on to her reward and I cherish the thought I will see my parents again in glory, and at the age of 77, I know it won’t be long. I am still healthy and happy hear on earth but oh so looking forward to eternity.
    Thank you for your inspiring message. God bless you Diane.

    • Thank you, Mary, for taking time to share a bit of your walk and for your encouraging words. They mean so much!
      May your week overflow with God’s amazing love and JOY!!!

  4. Debbie says

    Me. I’m the only thing getting in my way. I do trust in God but it’s that “control” thing
    that gets me every time. I love your post for today…a reminder of what I need to do.
    God bless you sweet Diane.

    • Oh Debbie, if we are all honest, usually the problem is with “me, myself, and I.” 😉
      Thanks for popping by and for your lovely encouragement. {{hugs}}

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