I Needed The Quiet

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I NEEDED THE QUIET

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God says on the seventh day He rested from His work(Genesis 2:2) and since we are created in His image we need rest too.  In the 23rd Psalm David said, “He makes me lie down…”  Job’s friend Jophar gives him a crumb of reassurance saying, “You will lie down without fear…” (Job 11:19).  With great wisdom Solomon wrote these words, “…when you lie down your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24b).  Jesus recognized the need for quiet rest when he said to the disciples, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)

In my career as a teacher and principal I learned just how important rest was.  Long hours and a great deal of stress do not help anyone’s health.  Burning the candle at both ends, ends up with nothing when the flames have consumed all the wax.  I finally came to my senses and retired early.  The job was consuming me and I heard the Spirit clearly say this is NOT what I want for you.  You see, even though I prayed every morning that I would keep Him close all day, when I walked through the school doors I quit focusing on Him and started focusing on kids, teachers, parents and all the issues and stress a high poverty, inner city, school brings.  I ended up quite ill from lack of rest, poor diet, and high stress.  When my awesome husband was hospitalized and in a chemically induced coma for 20 days from a Traumatic Brain Injury I had much time to pray, think, and reflect. The conclusion–my career was killing me.  Once the decision was made, a calmness came over me that I had not known before.  I knew without question this was exactly what God wanted.  I needed adequate rest and He already knew this was the only way I was going to get it.  Praise God! I listened! and rested!

Heavenly Father, thank You! for making me aware.  You deserve my total, rested attention.  I want to do that.  Make my life more and more about You.  In Jesus Name make it so!

11 thoughts on “I Needed The Quiet”

  4. Marie, that is so beautiful. I have tears in my eyes. It is a real testament to what happens when a person puts everything aside and asks Our Lord for an answer. What he tells us to do will always be the right thing.
    I was a high school teacher and can identify with the weariness. You must be alert every single second. And my challenges were no where near those of a principal in a poverty district. I commend you for the good you did during the time you served those children of God!

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    • Thank you Joyce! My commendations to you as another Teaching Warrior! It is a hard and rewarding job and very few, other than those who have walked in our footsteps know the challenges and long hours it takes to reach those in our charge. One of these posts I am going to write about the door God opened and making the choice to walk through it. Blessings to you and those grandkids! Marie

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  5. Thank you Marie for sharing what many of us experience in our daily lives, of course God does not need to rest, He tells us He is never weary but He did cease from His work of Creation when it was finished, as you shared.

    Jesus on earth as you said also needed to rest, He had the same physical limitations as us but when there was need as we see with this Scripture, (Mark 6:31 – 34 ) He was empowered to carry on helping those who came to Him.

    Isaiah 40:28-29 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.

    Yes our bodies are wearing out but we soar Spiritually on wings like eagles.

    Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

    Today is the first day of the rest of my earthly Life, I will rejoice and be glad in it because God has touched me again with His never ending Love.

    Christian Love from both of us – Anne.

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