This week I’ve been feeling “off”. Struggling for words that match my heart’s beat. I have thoughts as to why rumbling around in my head.
But for today, God says “Rest”. Will I enter via this Sabbath door I’ve been peeking into?
God says “Don’t strive.” Will I trust that a day off on my part doesn’t mean the world will end? Doesn’t mean my writing will end?
God says “Notice the season”. Will I let the gray fall day be a backdrop to not performing, letting my own expectation of writing a certain way fade into the gray?
Then I flip through a book and this prayer jumps out. Leaps off the page.
Prayer for a Tired Branch
Jesus
I am one worn-out
tired branch
and I need the newness
of the vine of you
to start the hope-life
running through
the streams of me again.
Lord, be my vine
and I’ll be your branch
but free me please
from this withered
cut-off feeling
and deliver others
from the pain
I carve into their branches.
Macrina Wiederkehr
Today I will choose to abide.
I will let God’s invitations be my response.
I will rest. I will not strive. I will notice.
Join me?
_____________________________________________
Do you know that there are over 1200 bloggers participating in the 31 Days series? 1200! If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to head over here. You will find about any topic you are looking for.
There’s a bunch I’ve been following.
It has been a delight to read Sarah Markley’s series 31 Days of Rest. I’ve loved reading her writing and now this series has been so timely. You can read it here!
Prayer from Seasons of Your Heart by Macrina Wiederkehr. You can see it here.
Today is Day 17 in 31 Days of Noticing Fall.
If you missed a day, you can find them all here.
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Linking today with WIP Wednesday, God-Bumps and God-Incidences, Unwrapping His Promises, Living Well Wednesday Playdates with God and True Vine
Yes, how it does seem like that in the midst of so many things coming against me right now… but God keeps speaking HOPE and how he wants us to speak life… and yes, to come away and rest in Him. Beautiful post… I like that prayer too and pray He lifts you up on wings of hope this week… :). ~ Pam, http://wordglow.wordpress.com Apples of gold
Hi Melanie
Yes, dear one, tired branch days are plentiful for us Fibro/ME people. I am so grateful for the Living Fountain where we always can go for rest and recharge! We to often forget that healthy people still experience the same emotions, and I want to thank you for reminding me. Hope you are a-okay soon.
Blessings
Great reminder Melanie! I have been thinking a lot on striving… I can get so type-A ambitious sometimes and get myself way ahead of God (separate my branch from the Vine…eek!) I am joining you in this prayer. Abide Abide!! Cease striving and rest in God and His promises!
(Stopping by from gdwj)
xo
Psst… hoping for the chance to meet you and your sweet self at Allume! 🙂
Must be something in the air or the energy patterns because i have felt the same way all week! Sick on Monday, not fully recovered yet.
Thanks for these words and the latitude to slow down!
🙂
Melanie, this spoke volumes to me today! I needed to hear the words ‘rest’, ‘don’t strive’, and this prayer. I pray that we will rest our weary minds in Him and be refreshed and renewed by His Spirit.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Just loved this! So glad I stopped by…What a blessing today!
Thanks for sharing the Prayer of a Tired Branch with us. It really spoke to me.
Sometimes we need days to do nothing and recharge …
Ack! I missed you somehow in the 1200! I’m sooo thrilled you stopped by my place today so I knew…
because I needed to read this, Melanie.
I’m with you. I’ll choose to abide today. And choose again tomorrow. And I’ll trust the rest found there in obedience…
what a beautiful prayer. thank you for gifting me with it!
Ahhhhh, ABIDE. Such a lovely word. A friend of mine has been talking about abiding. It’s been a key word for her this year. Do you know Cheryl at http://www.oikosliving.com? Check her out.
Thank you for sharing in community with us. May you have a restful, abide-in-Him kind of weekend!
~ Jennifer
I’m grateful Jennifer connected us. What a lovely place you have here!
Hadn’t heard the piece by Macrina Wiederkehr. Very powerful!
Would love to have you link up with the True Vine Challenge community, as you’re able.
To abiding!
Today, I choose to ABIDE, as well!!
Yes, me too! Great to see a familiar face here. 🙂