““His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”
Acts of the Apostles 17:27-28 NLT
I’m posting my 326 blog late because this scripture became real to me yesterday. If you’ve read any blogs recently or seen my personal Facebook, you know I’ve spent my vacation week volunteering at OCC. It’s been amazing!! And – it’s been hard! Much harder than I recall from years past. I’ll blame my age, longer shifts, and a touch of something. And, I’ll give thanks to G-d for the reminder that I have nothing to prove.
After listening to my daughter’s wisdom that I call out and rest, I spent Saturday in bed trying to recover from severe pain. I don’t know if it was just a pulled muscle plus a migraine or a touch of something like the flu, but the pain was the worst I’ve had in a long time. Each time I tried to write I couldn’t keep my eyes open, so I just mediated on this passage – specifically that He is not far from me and that in Him I live and move and exist.
Vance came in town to help me, my daughter kept me full of vitamin C, and after a good nights rest, I’m feeling better. And, albeit insane, I’m grateful for the forced shut down of my body. I often go full throttle, non stop in everything I do. I ignore the signs my body tosses at me and press through. I work hard at all things, almost as if I am trying to prove my worth to someone – and perhaps I am.
Rest is essential. I’ve ignored that the last few weeks, and in a place of intense pain, I found that G-d was near to me. I felt His love through the care of my husband. I saw His care in the face of my daughter. He is good. He can be trusted. And He is closer than we realize.
Father – thank You for Your healing and comforting touch. Help me to honor You in all I do – even in rest. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Acts 17:1-18:18
November 26, 2022