The Thankful Mom: Escape to the Cape....

I've been gone for awhile, and may I say that it was a much needed "gone." For over a week I've been out of cell phone range - which, may I say, I loved! Free hours to think, play, read, meditate, lounge and organize my constantly whirring thoughts. Where did I go, you may ask?

Well, every year my family and I take a sweet trip to Cape San Blas, Florida. Now, I haven't always loved the beach in earlier years. Sometimes, in those years past, the idea of laying around all day in the sand, sun and surf hasn't appealed to me. However, this year was a different story completely.

This year I wanted to sit in a festive beach chair with a cold drink beside me and my favorite novel in hand while frequently gazing at the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. This year I wanted to be enveloped by that large black "River Rat" tube and wade ever so carefully into the clear blue ocean water. This year I wanted to lay in the sunshine and feel the warmth on my skin.

So... everyday my big-baby-bellied self would traipse down the boardwalk with all of my favorite things in tow and place myself in a chair so near the water that the surf would tickle my toes. Well, most of my favorite things... I was without a couple of my favorite things during the first of the week. Thankfully, though, one "thing" - Will - got to join the rest of us on Thursday for a weekend of rest himself. And then another favorite "thing" - my sister, Susanna - joined us on Friday.

Spending that glorious week at the beach made me think about rest. I'm so thankful for rest. Thankful that my family loves me enough to insist that I have enough of it. Thankful that the Lord laid out the importance of rest - both physical and spiritual - in the His word for us:

Exodus 23:12 "Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest.

Exodus 33:14 And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Hebrews 4:10-11 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

But wait - I bet I know what you're thinking - resting is such a difficult thing to do! In a world filled so quickly by so many things: work, husband, children, housework, church, community activities... rest is so hard to acquire!

Well, let's carve out some time.

Time. for. resting.

Enjoy time with the Lord and remember that He wants us to rest in Him always.