There are days, too many to count when I feel like I can’t do one more thing. I need to rest. Often those days follow one of my many sleepless nights. I have chronic sciatica, back, and leg pain. I try to trick it with ice and painkillers. I read to distract myself. But sometimes I just stay awake. And so I do — until three or four in the morning. Then I am up at seven or eight and there are things to do. People to deal with. Calls to make. Chores. Errands. I am feeling tired just writing this. So I have to find my rest in God.

What does that mean, anyway? It’s not just some glib bandaid phrase. This is what I actually do to cope. I find my rest in God.

And this is how I do it. I start my day, no matter how busy by spending time in prayer. Sometimes the best I can do is 15 minutes. But most days I manage an hour or more. I get my coffee and go outside into my usually peaceful yard and I pray. I commune. I seek Him. And I wait for Him to come.

I give Him my worries.

I start my prayer time with relinquishing all my stuff. All the things that are bothering me. I let it all go. I tell Him about my leg, the unpaid bill, the cat that needs to go to the vet. I give Him my worries. I imagine handing them one at a time to Him and then I imagine Him putting them all safely away in a box that He keeps.   I ask His forgiveness for not trusting Him with it all earlier

Next I thank Him and praise Him for what I do have. My home, my family, my work, my friends, my health. I thank Him for food on the table and fuzzy kitties and bright yellow flowers that greet me each morning. I thank Him for fresh air and hummingbirds and a car that is running.

And finally I sit back and breathe and wait. I think sometimes we get so busy chattering about everything we need that we don’t bother to see what He might say. So, as I wait in the stillness I allow His peace to flow in. I have given Him my worries. If another worry pops up — it goes into the box.

I have found that during this waiting time wonderful thoughts float up. Thoughts of love, and comfort. Memories of God’s goodness. Sometimes a piece of scripture will occur to me. A sentence, a word may quietly form in my mind. Peace. Be still. Be anxious for nothing. My breathing slows. My heart is calm. I see the path through my day. I am resting in God

God brings me to this state of calm. He reminds me that He is in control and that I can rest and give Him these burdens.

Nothing is insurmountable.

When I have finished my time in the garden I come back in the house. Yes, there are still dishes to be done and bills to be paid. But I know that nothing is insurmountable. There will be time enough to take care of my to-do list. I know that I am loved and cared for and that He will guide me through my upcoming day.

I also know that anytime life is too much for me, I can retreat back to this place. I can take a mini-break and seek Him again. Give Him my worries and receive His peace. He is always available. Always waiting for me.

For more on resting in God read Empty Me of Me.

You also might enjoy Let God Have Your To-Do List.