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bluidkiti · 04-15-2014, 11:04 AM

A Pillow for My Head

Read Mark 4:35-41

[Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.
-Mark 4:38 (NRSV)

WHEN my husband and I got married, we hoped to have children right away. Soon our dream came true. Two children were born to us, and we adopted another; within five years we had three children under the age of four! I was filled with love and with gratitude for these blessings.

I also felt completely overwhelmed by an unending list of chores to accomplish. I asked myself, How can I nurture my children, take care of our household, and work full time? Every night I fell into bed, exhausted and not sure how I would get up in the morning to start all over again.

A wise grandmother took me aside. "Do you remember that Jesus rested?" she calmly asked. She reminded me that in between preaching and teaching, Jesus slept as he and his disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:38). Even as a windy storm rocked their small boat, Jesus gave his body the rest that it needed. Jesus wasn't absent from his responsibilities - responding as soon as his disciples cried out in fear - but he took time to rest, trusting that God was with him.

Now I try to find a few peaceful moments of renewal every day. During these times I rest, whisper a prayer, read, even put my head on a cushion. In these brief times of quiet, I am reminded that I can face the tasks ahead because God is with me.

Susan J. Foster (Connecticut, USA)
Prayer
Caring God, help us to rest in your love and be renewed by your promise to be with us always. Amen.

Thought for the Day
God invites us to rest and be renewed.

04-15-2014, 11:04 AM	#1
bluidkiti Administrator Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 70,877	A Pillow for My Head A Pillow for My Head Read Mark 4:35-41 [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. -Mark 4:38 (NRSV) WHEN my husband and I got married, we hoped to have children right away. Soon our dream came true. Two children were born to us, and we adopted another; within five years we had three children under the age of four! I was filled with love and with gratitude for these blessings. I also felt completely overwhelmed by an unending list of chores to accomplish. I asked myself, How can I nurture my children, take care of our household, and work full time? Every night I fell into bed, exhausted and not sure how I would get up in the morning to start all over again. A wise grandmother took me aside. "Do you remember that Jesus rested?" she calmly asked. She reminded me that in between preaching and teaching, Jesus slept as he and his disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:38). Even as a windy storm rocked their small boat, Jesus gave his body the rest that it needed. Jesus wasn't absent from his responsibilities - responding as soon as his disciples cried out in fear - but he took time to rest, trusting that God was with him. Now I try to find a few peaceful moments of renewal every day. During these times I rest, whisper a prayer, read, even put my head on a cushion. In these brief times of quiet, I am reminded that I can face the tasks ahead because God is with me. Susan J. Foster (Connecticut, USA) Prayer Caring God, help us to rest in your love and be renewed by your promise to be with us always. Amen. Thought for the Day God invites us to rest and be renewed. __________________ "No matter what you have done up to this moment, you get 24 brand-new hours to spend every single day." --Brian Tracy AA gives us an opportunity to recreate ourselves, with God's help, one day at a time. --Rufus K. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt We stay sober and clean together - one day at a time! God says that each of us is worth loving.