When I sit down at my table to write these devotions every week, I never know if anyone will read them. I don’t really ever know if my words will ever go any further than the page you are reading right now. But every once in a while, God likes to tap me on the shoulder and say
“Hey Angie, it DOES matter!”
This week, I got an email from a lovely woman named Susan. It was the middle of the week, days after I sent my email and posted my devotional on my blog. I wasn’t really even thinking about that post anymore. But the words she shared with me hit my heart with such a comforting message, I just knew that I needed to share them with you today, too.
When I sit down to write every week, I struggle. I try so hard to think of what to say that I often stare at a blank screen and an open Bible in frustration. It isn’t until I stop trying and ask God to step in that the words flow out.
I’m so glad that she was brave enough to reach out share it with me! Let’s hear what she had to say and what it means for you ♥️
Dear Angie,
Over these last few weeks, I've been learning to look even more closely at what God has placed in my daily life. Just this morning, sitting outside with one of our feral cats on my lap for her after-breakfast snuggle and brushing, with all the beauty of God's creation surrounding me, and a few minutes of perfect peace out here in the countryside . . . God showed me a special correlation!
When MayBell hops up onto my lap, I put my legs closely together to hold her in the center. But she tends to settle on my left thigh, leaning to the side. This means that I must to use my left hand to support her so she doesn't fall off, while brushing her with the brush in my right hand. I love that she leans into my hand like that. And suddenly I saw how I so often lean on God when I need comfort, an answer, a direction, or simply to be close.
It's just like you wrote, ". . . lean on God in your own dark times, and wait expectantly for His grace and redemption on the other side. He is always there, and He won’t ever leave you. Don’t be afraid to lean on God in dark times and wait expectantly for His grace and redemption". When I read that in your devotional, I was blessed again. Thank you, Angie, for sharing your heart!
I loved the picture I had in my mind of MayBelle curling up on Susans lap in comfort. The way she looked down and saw herself resting in her Savior was such a beautiful reminder of His abundant care for us!
The Bible is full of beautiful images of God caring for and providing rest for His people, and that rest is available for you, too. Just looking at one book, look at these beautiful pictures of God-rest in the book of Psalms: ( and these are only a few!)
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Susans picture of complete rest and comfort in the lap of someone who loves and cares for you is a great reminder of the relationship we have with our Creator God. Just like that cat, we have a purpose. But also like MayBell, apart from God we are left weary. When we open His Word and humble ourselves before Him in prayer, He invites us into His lap to rest in His supernatural and never-ending comfort.
Susan shared with us a little nudge that God gave her on her front porch this week. He reminded her how it’s ok to lean into Him. I hope that her little story serves as a vivid reminder of how important it is that you give God a part of your day. I hope it inspires you to seek rest in Him ♥️
♡Read Mark 2:27. What do you think this means?
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