My prayer for my sisters is this:
I want to see you rest this year.
You thought I’d say something different, didn’t you? ;) Like be brave or dare or follow those dreams. Those are such mantras of mine. But you know what I’m realizing? I am bravest when I’m resting in His love. I am most daring when I know He loves me even if I fall flat on my face. I have the energy to follow tirelessly after my dreams when I am renewed.
I cannot rise if I have not first rested.
I don’t think I can embrace if I don’t rest, either. And I don’t just mean sleeping until noon (although that’s nice sometimes. Lord knows I don’t miss early classes.). Nor do I mean completely rest of the physical vessel that is beautiful you.
I mean rest in the truth, sisters.
Rest in the knowing. The knowing, deep and unreached by any lies, that Truth is near and He is good.
The other day I wanted a ring. The store didn’t have my size, but I happened to be in the mall, and there is more than one bookstore that sells rings with Scripture etched on silver. So I trooped to the bigger bookstore. Behold, my size.
He is sweet like that. Even when it’s seemingly silly things like rings. Especially when it’s never-silly things like rust and dust and feeling both and needing to scrub off the first so the gem within can shine once more. And needing to brush off the latter and see what beautiful things He does make from dust.
Because He does. Lord knows I’m living proof. If He could craft this head-in-the-clouds shy, short girl into the daring one turned author this year (eep!), I can’t wait to see what this year holds. For me. For you.
For all of us daring enough to lay aside the pen or the paintbrush or the pressure for just one second and breathe deep, let freedom ring, and release it all back to Him.
My prayer for my sisters is this:
I want to see you aspire this year. To more. To openness.
To embrace with me, whatever your word, life and all He means for it to be.
I’m praying for you, sisters.
Elisabeth Allen says
Beautiful … thank you so much for sharing these wise words today!
Rachelle says
Thanks for commenting, Elisabeth!
Tara says
Funny how God works sometimes. I needed to read this. My word for 2015 is brave.
Rachelle says
Love it, Tara! Be brave!
Clare says
This is beautiful, Rachelle!
“I cannot rise if I have not first rested.”
This is such a beautiful reminder. Often the start of the year there is this sense of urgency and anxiousness to accomplish our mountains of goals and desires and to do lists. We feel guilt if we aren’t doing. Love that Christ delights in me when I simply sit at His feet rather hustling and bustling about trying to feel accomplished.
Rachelle says
Amen, Clare! Thanks for commenting!
Ganise says
You’re definitely blessed with the gift of writing. This piece of yours is splendid. Thank you.
Rachelle says
Thank you, Ganise!