Love Learn Lead January 12, 2017

This week, the gray skies of winter have had me feeling a little low. On the rare days that the sun shows its face, I make sure all the blinds are open. But it never has the same effect on me that a good run or hike does. There are still quite a few weeks before we will be able to get outside again, and it is time to think of fun ways of passing our time inside. As I try to come up with creative diversions, here are a few Love Learn Lead musings. Blessings.

Love

After coming home from the holidays with a stomach bug, drinking my usual morning cup of coffee hasn’t been too appealing. So, the past two weeks I have been drinking lot’s of Rooibos tea—this one from Celestial Seasonings and a lovely Honeybush Rooibos from Trader Joe’s. What I love about Rooibos tea is that it is both caffeine-free and full bodied so I don’t feel like I am just drinking hot water.

What comfort foods or drinks are getting you through this winter?

Learn

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out …? 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.”

Matthew 11:29

This past weekend, my husband and I finally took down our Christmas tree, put away our decorations, and returned our living room to its usual order. And as we did, my mind kept going to the long list of things I wanted or needed to do. There were still things left undone from the Holidays, while 2017 felt like it wanted to roar right in with its own long to do list. It is amazing how even the thought of things that we know can wait, can make us jumpy.

But while picking up the trail of pine needles that our dead Christmas tree left behind, this verse in Matthew 11, came to mind. It was as if Jesus was whispering these words to me as my list of things to do began to grow. Knowing me, better than anyone else, He knew I needed them.

If I am honest, I think Jesus has been softly speaking these words of rest to me, all my life. I am a “doer.” A long list of pressing and not-so-pressing tasks can easily suck me in—especially if it means I can bring a little order or beauty to this world. But, I am learning that if I don’t take the time to rest, then I get worn out and harried. And if I don’t take the time to be with Jesus in prayer, I am not able to tackle my list as successfully or meaningfully.