Finding the Rest in Restore

A new year has begun! What is my theme word for this year? I asked myself. The word would need to be relevant; one that would make a difference in my life.

Joy ? Hope? Trust? Then the word restore popped into my mind. Our family has restored houses, cars, and gardens. Restore has always been a good word for this do-it-yourself kind of woman. I like to get the job done. Restore sounds energetic.

Yes, it is exactly my kind of word. With my typical get-it-done attitude, I enthusiastically began learning more about my word. Eventually, in lights brighter than sunshine on snow, four letters stood out: r-e-s-t. Seriously? “There is no time to rest, God,” I mumbled. But those four letters continued to invite me. So how does restore, an action word, fit with rest, a quieting word? And what does it look like in this busy, type A life of mine? I was unsure, but I knew I had to find out. Slowly, I began to see that the challenges of the previous year had worn me down. My joy quotient measured close to zero. My mind would ruminate without purpose, and while I could still hustle with the best of them when needed, I would crash when done. Could God be suggesting a pause in all my efforts? Was He hinting at something more to life than getting through my endless to-do lists? Did He want to be first and last on my list in every situation? I love my quiet time. When I pray and pause in His Word, the Scriptures encourage and energize my heart and mind. But I noticed that as my day progressed, I would lose that sense of His peace, joy, and connection. When life demanded more than I could give, I would jump right in to find a solution. The results were not always positive. I began to sense a need for His presence to stretch throughout my day. So, what would happen if the first thing I did in any situation—joyous or junky—was to pause for a moment and rest in His presence? And in the pause, recognize He is with me—within me. With that realization, I could release to Him whatever is going on.

A weight has rolled off my shoulders.

Yes, God is changing me. I am learning that to restore, I must first rest. It is quite a new adventure with Him. And somehow, my to-do lists are still getting done.

Lynn Ortel