How to Recover Your Life and Find Your Way In Our Crazy World
Laura Longville
“Are you tired? Worn Out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” ~Jesus The Message Bible
Did you answer “yes” to any of these questions? If you’re anything like me, you could answer “yes” to all of them. Jesus knows how exhausted and jaded we can get.
A Glimpse into my life
When my girls were still living at home, I planned and cooked meals on Sundays to prepare for the week. We had dance and riding lessons on Monday and Wednesday, laundry day was Tuesday, and church on Wednesday. Sprinkled throughout the week, we volunteered at church and community organizations.
Our weekends were packed with long to-do lists, never-ending homework, and up-all-night sleepovers. I worked 3-4 days a week outside the home, and Mark and I hardly got any quality time together.
A friend wanted to go for coffee, and a client frantically called in crisis, wanting an appointment. I didn’t have time for coffee or the space to fit the client into my already overbooked schedule. My hubby wants to hike on Saturday morning (YEAH!), and one of the kids is sick; we can’t go (UGH!)
I bet you can relate.
I lay my tired and weary head down on the pillow at night and yearned for something different. I wished for basics such as sleep, healthy food, more exercise, and meaningful conversations. On other nights, my heart ached for more. I prayed, “Is there more to my life than this? Is this all there is?” In anticipation, I waited on God as I fell asleep.
One quiet morning
My first quiet minutes on a particular day were filled with a message from God. He answered my prayer, something like this. “Yes, there is more to life even though you are in a busy season of life. Your family is first, and it’s important to have rest.”
Back then, I thought to myself, “Rest? How do I do that with all I need to do? I never feel rested. I feel like I’m carrying the world's weight and have no time to myself.”
I bet you can hear yourself in my thoughts and feelings. Life is full, sometimes too full, and we miss the beauty and mystery of the day.
Despite being the #1 sought-after person in his day, I know one man who knew how to live a simple, rested life. Jesus.
Many years later, my life has changed. It’s much simpler today because my kids are grown and have their own families. And because God showed me how to take a real rest and to walk and work with Him. To watch how He did it. Sometimes we need a role model and support to encourage us to live differently.
Join me in discovering how to live as Jesus did. Each post will help you recover your life and find your way. The Jesus Life, by Stephen W Smith, is a helpful guide. Grab a copy and follow along. In the upcoming posts, I’ll introduce spiritual practices that show you how to take a real rest, walk with Jesus, and learn His unforced rhythms of grace. Jesus promises, “Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”