Rest...and refreshment...

We have been staying home...almost exclusively since the day after Christmas, when a stomach virus started around our family....it's a strange one, too....one child had it 24 hours, another is still wiped out and if he does any exertion, he is done for and needs to rest. Well...at the same time, I developed a Fibromyalgia flareup that has not gone away. After being awake for over 3 hours last night, and in a lot of pain today...I've done a lot of thinking about ( and praying about) a lot of things...our home, our routines, our health...and what is God's will for our family at this time.

Here is an excerpt from the classic devotional book 'Streams in the Desert'. I just love this devotional and it never fails to speak to my heart...and quiet, strengthen and comfort me.

"(1Kings 19:7) "The journey is too much for me...." What did God do with Elijah, his tired servant? He allowed him to sleep and gave him something good to eat. Elijah had done a tremendous work and in his excitement, he had run "ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to Jezreel" (1kings 18:46) But the run had been too much for him and had sapped his physical strength...ultimately causing him to become depressed. Just as others in this condition need sleep and want their conditions treated, Elijah's physical requirements needed to be met. When this happens to us, the words of the Master are very soothing, "Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you". In other words, " I am going to refresh you." Therefore, may we never confuse physical weariness with spiritual weariness.

~ It is really hard, sometimes, I think, when you are physically weary, wornout and in pain to NOT become spiritually weary...but the Lord IS so faithful to me...He meets me in the middle of the night...in the middle of my pain...in worshipping Him...even if it is resting under blankets....He also refreshes my spirit by putting opportunities for me to serve Him....even thru flareups of my illness....sometimes by sitting quietly and crocheting while laughing and watching a family movie, sometimes by snuggling and reading books with my little ones....even thru serving by making meals for others....not much more work to double a recipe...and meals for others are really a family ministry. The girls help with all the prep work and sometimes make certain parts of the meal themselves and Ron never minds delivering them for us. It's a nice way we can all serve...in spite of physical limitations or pain.

Sometimes, too, when we are forced to stay home...I find I actually have much more time to read the Word...to listen to worship while preparing a meal...or just to sit quietly and pray...spend time with my Father...resting in His unique care for me...remembering always, that He knows my needs before we ever need them...and gives us what we need.

I was supposed to go to our small group tonight...and was really looking forward to it. One of the things we were supposed to come prepared to share were a couple of our favorite scriptures that we turn to often. Here are a few of mine:

Deuteronomy 33:25 "As your days, so shall your strength be"

Phillipians 4:11 "For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content"

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord..."

And...1Timothy 6:6-8 "Now Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And, having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

Of course, I love all of God's love letter to me...I can get lost in Psalms...I'm enthralled by Genesis, convicted by Deuteronomy and the commandments, in awe of everything of Jesus' life...and I am comforted and encouraged by Job and Revelation....I am learning to take these times of 'enforced' rest...and rest in my Father's arms....to listen to His still small voice when I am not running around to a lot of commitments....and really appreciating and enjoying the family that He has blessed me with. I've come to realize that God's plan for everyone is different...Oh, how He lavishes His BEST on us....how foolish we are when we are 'too busy' to see it or often comparing our lives, our homes and our families with someone elses!!! How ungrateful! I'm going to go now, heat up some leftovers for the kids and I since Ron got called into work an extra shift.
( Thanks, Lord, for the extra work...it's greatly appreciated!)...and maybe light a fire tonight and enjoy my children...while resting. May you all have a restful evening and be blessed! ~Sue~

I Love Bread Making!

On Jasmine Baucham's blog (click here) a few weeks ago, she posted a post that announced that Franklin Springs Media was hosting an essay contest. Well, I didn't win, but I thought a good post would be to post my essay and see what everyone thinks! Can't wait until a new contest from them, their DVD's are phenomenal. Here is my essay, on the joys of breadmaking. Sorry that it is kind short; the guideline was 250 words or less... thats kind of short for me!

Why I love bread making
An essay written by Sara Gorecki
I love to make homemade bread for many reasons. The smell, the feel, and the taste contribute to it, but my favorite thing about making bread is the feeling of productivity in serving my family. Our family has six people, and two children under the age of ten, so we go through a lot of PBJ sandwiches and quick lunches using bread. With all the preservatives in store bought bread, we have chosen to make homemade bread as well as grinding our own grain into flour. There is something about walking into a kitchen and smelling fresh baked bread!

Serving my family is one of my highest priorities, so any time I can serve them, I do. Bread making is one of the ways I can help my mother, who does so much for us. I remember when I was little my mother would let my sister and I help knead the dough and use the big wooden spoon to stir the dough. That precious memory has carried on to my younger siblings as well, especially our ‘little mother’ who is four and loves to be a mommy. Bread making has benefits for your health, but it also has benefits for your soul. Comfort food is food that feeds your soul, and what does that more than homemade bread?