Rice and Beans of Life: Snippets of Sabbath Rest

Sunny Saturday morning breakfast ...
sharing the peace of my Hiding place!

I bought groceries today ... alone. It was most delightful at 8:00 a.m., the store was empty, there were no lines and it was quiet. I bought myself a mocha frappe in the refrigerated section and relished the time to browse, think and process ... alone. I found myself contemplating life, the current pandemic we're living through, gluten free products, the future and schooling of my Mighty men, which pina smelled the sweetest, the lack of chocolate chips on their shelves, Micah moving to the states, and my gray hair and maturing body ... I had a few pleasant interactions with masked personnel and embraced the wetness in my eyes as I remembered the days of sharing an unmasked smile with many of them.

Daryl had started school at home with the boys so I didn't have to rush. Remembering I had two more stops in my morning out, I finished my meandering up and down the aisles and peacefully completed my purchases. I awoke this morning with a giddy awareness that I was going to have time alone today. Albeit, in a grocery store and at the lab, the giddy anticipation in my mind equated to sabbath rest! Desperate times call for desperate measures : ) My need for Sabbath rest comes and goes like the waves of the ocean. Currently, my need is ginormously great! ... Is that even a word? ...

In a house filled 24 x 7 with the masculine activity of 4 Mighty men, 2 neighbor boys and 1 handsome hubby, a daily school schedule from 8-3, and peaceful evenings where everyone desires to share their need to be heard, Sabbath rest (a.k.a. time alone) is a precious commodity. While I long for, desire and clearly see the necessity of Sabbath rest, I find myself scoffing and laughing in the face of its taunting due to said house inhabitants. Most teaching I've received on the necessity of this precious companion have been from persons not in my stage of life. And ... most persons I've encouraged to partake in this necessity, have been in a stage of life different than my own. Quite clearly, I've received and given this challenge because I understand it's utmost importance for not just surviving but thriving in this life! Today, this is what HE taught me about Sabbath rest ...

I mentally meandered back to the aisles of the grocery store as I entered the sacredness of my Hiding Place. My shoulders sagged a bit as I realized the second chair for Jesus has been relocated. As I contemplated going to look for it I sensed He was present with or without His chair. The precious moments that followed felt much like the Sabbath rest I encountered while perusing the pina and pepino. He stood behind me and began to massage my shoulders and whispered, "I know ... " He saw each burden I carried, I didn't even have to mention them. He knew my need and desire for Sabbath rest as He gently reminded me it may look different than I've been taught or have taught others. He opened my eyes to the snippets of Sabbath rest, like alone time in the grocery aisles, that He plans during my days full of activity. While not negating the need for extended Sabbath rest, He reassured me that He sees, He knows, and that as I abide in Him, my days can be filled with moments of Sabbath rest. Are you longing for time alone? Do you need the comfort of His hands massaging your shoulders? ... He's waiting for us to be still and know.

Sabbath rest in the veggie aisle ... Sweetest presence I know ... Be still and know

Life on the Mountain
Sharing Jesus and life with friends at Casa VidaNet ... Sweet newborn snuggles ... Feeling close to those we live close to ... Family time ... learning how to create space and alone time ... rainy afternoon movies and "forcing" M & J to stay up late with mom ... the joy of afternoon coffee and staying for dinner ... Friends who love our boys, spend time with them and invite the presence of their creativity ... feeling cared for and connected through a zoom call with the leadership team ... sharing life and Jesus with you all ... Finding snippets of Sabbath rest for my soul!

Praises
Health and provision
Educating at home feels like a routine
Fellowship and finding life with youth group
Time to grocery shop alone
Peace as we walk Jesus' perfect plan for our lives

Prayers
CR borders remain closed through June, affecting travel for Vida220
Finances for VidaNet, most of our summer teams have canceled
Micah's preparation for his senior year in the States
Healing for Mati, Meli, Nellie's mom and sibling, and in family relationships of dear friends
Our neighbors salvation, that they would hear His voice
Father, show us how to find Sabbath rest during this time