Tuesday, October 18, 2011

#219 "Fall Into Rest"

Green chlorophyll stands aside to make way for yellow, orange, and red, as the hum of food-making grows silent. Nature falls into autumn. The trees will rest.

I used to view the fall season in terms of death and dying. I even wrote from that perspective on this very blog. ("Beauty in the Dying") This year is different somehow. The wind dances  through the half-barren branches and whispers something new as she goes. "Rest", she says. "Rest." 


No word could be sweeter to my weary than that word...rest. The last few months were anything but that. I spent three months writing and self-publishing my e-book. September was spent preparing to speak to a group of precious women about the Living Water that is our Christ. Just over a week ago, my daughter married the man of her dreams, and we watched our 3 year old granddaughter for 5 days while they honeymooned. All along I kept saying, "if I can just get through these four things....then I can rest." I've gotten through. I've come out on the other side. 

Weary. Tired. Empty. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. 

God's creation declares that it is autumn, and it's not about dying...it's about rest.

As leaves become crunchy carpeting under my feet, I think a lot about what parallels there are between autumn and my need for rest. God has ordained the seasons for their specific purposes. "There is a season for every activity under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Not only are seasons ordained in nature, but God ordains the times and seasons of our lives as well.

The Bible frequently mentions the "early rain", signifying the rain of the autumn. From May to October, no rain fell and the land became dry, parched and brown. The people patiently and expectantly looked for the autumn rains to come and prepare the earth for reception of the seed, and to revive the parched and thirsty soil. 

My parched and thirsty soul needs the autumn rain to prepare my heart to receive the Seed.

Rest is the rain that will fill this empty vessel so that I can give out again. 

Leaves fall. 

Flowers cut down and dormant. 

Production ceases. 

The land rests.

In autumn's soul rest, I can cease from striving to produce.

I can quietly receive and lay down the frantic of giving out. 

Holy Spirit rain falls afresh.

The harsh winds of winter will come soon enough. Rest only lasts long enough for one to get refilled. I want to give. I want to produce. I want to stand with face like flint against the winter blasts that will surely come my way. They always do. 

But for such a time as this, I will...

...sit across the morning table from Jesus, and have discussion about His Word, before the rising of the sun. I will light more candles. I will make my home. I will cozy up in soft blankets when night falls and the lamps are lit. I will read good books that encourage me to do greater things in the name of Jesus. I will linger long in His presence and talk to Him about everything. I will take naps and use my slow cooker more often. I will choose joy and live thankful for everything. I will rest. I will rest. I will rest. It doesn't come naturally but it becomes a necessity.    

I wait like the husbandman with longing to receive the Holy Spirit rain that will revive my parched and thirsty soul. I wait for autumn's refreshment, restoration and renewal, so that I may produce once again. 

Because rest only lasts long enough for one to get refilled.

"Behold congenial Autumn comes,
the Sabbath of the Year."
-  John Logan



29 comments:

  1. Donna, I love this post and feel like I can somewhat relate. I've been working so hard lately to grow my blog...for His glory...to run a half-marathon...for His glory...to be a great mom and wife...for His glory...to finish up my eBook...for His glory... and my goodness I feel so tired. This is a beautiful reminder that I can also rest...for His glory.

    By the way, I'm almost finished with reading your eBook. Things got crazy for a while there and I didn't have a chance to read at all...then I picked up my Kindle and read through it voraciously over the weekend. I only have a little bit more to go. It's wonderful and I'm learning so much about Ruth that I never knew before. I certainly never knew that story was something I could somewhat relate my own problems to.

    Hope you are doing well. :)

    Blessings,
    Rosann

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  2. I really needed to read this post today. I just got some really bad medical news, tomorrow my husband and I are seeing a bankruptcy attorney, and we were supposed to go on a mini vacation this weekend. My husband suggested we postpone our vacation one week bc this was just too much to take in and try to get ready for a vacation. Like you I am planning to take it as easy as I can these next few days, make sure I nap and try to take care of myself, and trust in God and Jesus that they have a plan for me and there are better times down the road. Thank you.

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  3. in autumn's rest I cease from striving....Love that line...feeling it myself..
    Blessings~

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  4. nice i really like the thought of this being a time of rest to refresh for what is coming...of all years i think this is needed all the more by many people...very nice piece...

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  5. "God's creation declares that it is autumn, and it's not about dying...it's about rest."

    Amen!! What a great post...thank you for sharing!

    joy & blessings to you,
    Alida

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  6. Joining you from LACE, this is such a beautiful view of Autumn,I am sure I will also sea it this way in the future, a time of rest.. waiting to be renewed.
    Thank you for this post
    Nell

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  7. I just loved this. Rest doesn't come naturally for me either, when Autumn comes it feels strange to not be outside working after work and dinner and then just yesterday it dawned on me to enjoy it, the quiet, the feeling of being cold outside and walking into a warm home. There are so many things I love about this time of year. Yes, I am going to rest and wait to be renewed.

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  8. Autumn, when the earth stores up all the nourishment it possibly can find. Preparation for dormancy and waiting, resting, but not dead, waiting, resting. Waiting to burst forth in spring. To reproduce. This was beautiful.

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  9. Wow, Donna, did I need this! Thank you, Thank you! Right words for the right time. I am copying this and putting in my "Living My Faith" journal! My LACE post this week "Lupus Flare Recovery Plan" shares my struggle with learing to rest, to rest, to rest!

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  10. This is so good. I felt so good after reading this! :) Thank you very much and God bless you.

    Visiting from Thankful Thursday.
    Through The Years

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  11. Donna:

    I love the way you paint beautiful pictures with your words. Your post is so timely for me, because I am in a season where I need rest. Trying to balance leadng a Bible study, work, home life, and blogging tend to overwhelm me. I know it is for a season, but I must never forget to rest in the Lord.

    As always, thanks for linking to the Grace Cafe.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  12. Hi Donna,
    I know you'll get great benefit from your time of Autumn Rest and Renewal
    God Bless
    Barb from Australia

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  13. What a wonderful post - thank you so much! Stopping by from Koinonia. Blessings!

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  14. oh donna, may you know this rest deep. may you know that God continues to work on our behalf while we rest. xo

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  15. Hello Donna
    Visiting from TT. What a beautiful and encouraging post. The spirit gets weary, just as the body does...needed to hear this today. Love your writing.. you are very inspired.

    God bless!

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  16. "Rest is the rain that will fill this empty vessel so that I can give out again."

    Love this and so true!!! Beautiful words!

    Thanks for stopping by and linking up with Koinonia Thursdays!

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  17. I needed to hear that, so thank you so much! Your heart is beautiful, and we are all lucky to hear a piece of it. Awesome job and thank you!

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  18. Donna, you have such a blessed way of utilizing words to spread the Word and truth to be found in Christ. Once again, I was tremendously blessed by the wisdom found in your post. So often I run, run, run, and don't seek rest. Real rest. Thank you for reminding me that it is necessary and critical to rest and have Jesus fill my needs.

    Blessings, friend.

    Rachel

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  19. "Fall into rest" ... I love that! Like how it feels after a full and busy day when you fall into a soft and cozy bed. Ahhhhhh.....

    Your posting gives us that sense too.

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  20. Donna, thank you for your visit with me this evening. I wanted to visit with you as well...

    This is a timely post! Let me share this Word with you: Psalm 23:2-3 "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
    he restores my soul."

    I thought of that as I read.

    "fall into rest"...Amen! Fall into His rest is what I'm doing. Blessings to you Donna! Looking forward to connecting again!

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  21. Thanks for this post! Loved it!

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  22. This greatly touched my heart . . . This is the first time I've been to your blog, and I feel I so understand you. Just reading your profile, I could put my name in a lot of it, having walked a similar childhood. I also live in Michigan. :)

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  23. God's seasons are always perfect timing and for His specific purpose. Matt 11:28 is so true...and something I need to be reminded about from time to time. Not to allow unbelief (read doubts & fears) keep me from the believer's rest in Jesus, despite the tumult of everyday life. I found you from Spiritual Sunday which I sometimes participate in.
    Ruth

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  24. I wait, too, for the Holy Spirit rain. I love that line because I feel like that's where I am. Weary from the battle, waiting...longing, and believing it will come.

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  25. Wow Donna,

    This post so speaks to my busy and weary soul. Praying for the time of rest in my heart and may you be filled during yours. Hugs and happy TT.

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  26. The fall is my favorite time of the year. I like the way you describe it as a time of rest. I agree. God is so good. He even shows us his goodness in the seasons of the year. I love that quote there is a time and a season for everything. Thank you for this reminder.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  27. Donna this was beautiful! I like the way you describe the autumn and winter seasons. Thanks for the beautiful reminder. Enjoy your week.

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  28. What a beautiful picture of autumn. I have never thought of it in that way. Rest. What a much better way to look at it. Renewal only comes from rest. Thank you for that encouragement!

    Blessings,
    Mel
    Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

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  29. Yes, rest, sweet friend. He is holding you.

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