As A New Year Dawns

2013 will forever be known as the “Fastest Year Of My Life.”

The year kicked off with a wedding, bringing with it all those newlywed joys and complexities.

Just a few months later the announcement of a baby on the way really spiced things up.

On top of these pretty major developments, the general pace of my life has seemed to run at warp speed. I’ve been settling into my first career ‘big girl’ job, taking on more responsibilities in my local church, and supporting Ben while he also works full-time and attends seminary. On more than one occasion we’ve just looked at each other and sighed, “When did we get so busy?”

This week I found myself with the infamous ‘Christmas bug’ that’s been making the rounds. I felt pretty miserable over the holidays, but still enjoyed the quiet peace that Emmanuel – God with us – brings. Being under the weather, actually, was a great gift. To tell you the truth, I’m not very good at resting. I’m a rambler, after all. Sitting still isn’t in my blood. I jokingly told Ben that I can rest when I’m dead. He reminded me that if I don’t rest I will be dead.

Touche.

With our little girl due to arrive any day, learning how to rest has been increasingly important. For the next 18 years, I’ll have to not only think of my husband before myself but also my daughter. Moms give of themselves on the labor and delivery floor, but that’s just the start.

As a new year dawns, rest is going to be hard to come by. One of the great joys of being sick this week is that the Lord literally laid me down so I could learn to rest in Him and not my own strength. I was able to read my Bible, to meditate on the Word, and to pray. Truly special moments. Though 2013 seemed to move quicker than any other set of 12 months, I don’t want to live like a jackrabbit – always bouncing from one thing to the next. By God’s grace, 2014 will be the year I learn to find my rest in the Lord – to be still and know that He is God.