Stop and Rest

There is a time for rest. Rest rejuvenates. Periods of rest ignite the needed energy to move on. You are anxious about many things. Devote time for rest. I use the word “devote” for you to make this into an act of worship. When you intentionally build in breaks and a slowed pace, this allows you to receive My Grace and sustenance. It opens the window to hear My voice. When you make it a choice to stop and rest out of love for Me and My guidance, it leads you to a whole new level of relationship and balance. This is part of a God-driven life, – holy and sacred; One with all things. 

Consolation

Be consoling to one another. So many of My children are grieving losses that go unnamed and unattended to. If all would soften their hearts and let down their guards, it would help healing begin. There is a time for sorrow, which cannot be rushed. Some stay stuck in their anger, or remain feeling hurt, betrayed, or helpless after a deep loss. I am a God who gives and takes away, but this term has mistakenly been used. Never do I inflict hurt or pain by inflicting tragedy or loss. I am not a mean-spirited Lord. As a God who knows sorrow and grief well, I accompany, replace, and nurture out of every loss. Turn to Me. My Grace fills the cracks and binds the pieces together in a new way. Be part of that healing Grace. Listen, attentively, and with soft words and compassionate eyes, you will be a vessel of My hand touching the tender wounds. I am thoroughly attentive to all your needs, and of those around you. Be My hands and feet in the world. You are needed, and you are loved. 

The Bouquet

Behold each person you encounter today as being a splendid and beautiful arrangement in My eyes. Their unique bouquet is designed by the Master Florist. It is not your job to judge the design. You tend to see with quick judgement, – calling things “beautiful”, “good”, or “well put-together”, or naming them as “not-so-pretty”, “not worthy of your time”, even “distasteful”. Work on softening your opinions and try considering My perspective as a filter to see things with a more gracious, accepting heart. This takes practice. It may call you to curb your appetite for gossip, criticism, or making negative remarks on the side to others. You can replace these habits over time with My help and with an intentional focus. Learn to stop and smell the roses in a new level of appreciation for those who are different from you. Find secret joy in this loving act of acceptance. Notice how it changes you more into My likeness. You may even discover that you can be less hard on yourself in the process. You are each an integral, beautiful, and much-needed component of My bouquet. 

Go Easy

Choose to love.  Choose to go easy on others.  Hopefully this will help ease how hard you are on yourself.  Kindness, forgiveness, patience – these are gifts of Grace I bestow upon you and I ask you to bestow upon others – but don’t neglect bestowing it upon yourself.  Sometimes, – too often, really – you push yourself hard and judge yourself harshly.  This breaks My heart! If you have wronged another, go and apologize and begin the healing process for you both.  If others judge you critically or have wronged you, lift this situation up to My eyes and My pierced hands will help take this burden from you to begin your own process of healing.  Go easy today, surrounded in My Grace, which will sustain, heal, guide, and strengthen you as you need.