Have you ever heard someone speak to you, and you knew it wasn’t anyone in the room with you, it wasn’t anyone in the car with you, it wasn’t anyone who was actually IN your presence? There have been a handful of those times in my life, and every time it happens, I am just as amazed as I was the first time it happened. Now though, it doesn’t scare me. I know who is speaking to me. I know where that voice is coming from. Sometimes it is a voice that comforts, sometimes it warns, and sometimes it speaks direction for what is needed in my life at that time. I have learned to listen very closely to what that voice is saying to me, and looking back, had I done a better job of listening at times, I think I could’ve been more prepared for what was around the corner for my life. However, there have been times I have let the noise and the chaos and confusion of life, work, & raising kiddos drown out that voice. A couple of years ago, I learned though that when that voice speaks to me, I need to stop, listen, and pay attention to what it is I am supposed to be hearing and learning. That voice doesn’t just speak for no reason. It is always full of truth and it is always what I need, if I just choose to listen. That voice is the sweet sound of Holy Spirit.

Back in February, I was pulling out of my driveway to take my kids to school, and that voice spoke to me very unexpectedly. It had been an uneventful morning…well, let’s say it was a typical morning, none of our mornings are uneventful!!!. Nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Both girls (12 & 9) were up dressed & ready for school. I was ready for work and prepared to tackle the day of teaching a brand new group of 24 aspiring estheticians. I had looked at the calendar on my phone more than once to make sure we left the house with every thing we needed for not only school and work, but for every activity that the girls would be participating in that evening. Our days and our nights were so busy. Between after school activities, sports, and church, every single night of our week and weekend was devoted to something. My heart longed to just be home. I longed to just rest, to have no where that I “had” to go. I ached for the days when everything didn’t feel so rushed. Like most moms, I also struggled with the guilt of considering not letting the girls participate in activities they wanted to be a part of just because I thought we needed rest. I mean, wouldn’t that make me a terrible mom? Or perhaps what if that would make me a better mom, one who was not only looking out for my kids athletic, social, and academic skills, but also a mom who taught their kids the importance of self care, rest, reflection, and the ability to LET GO of this idea that we have to always be busy. This was an internal battle I fought with myself on the regular.

However, every time that thought passed through my mind, I put it aside, because I let worrying about what everyone else would think matter more than what Holy Spirit was stirring inside of my heart. I should have known that when I wasn’t responding to that stir that He would end up having to get my attention directly. He is always so good at that!!!

So this morning back in February, as I was pulling out of my driveway, Holy Spirit said very clearly, “You need a season of rest.” I almost cried right there in that moment. I knew He was right. I knew He was warning me that things were way too hectic. I also knew that this meant there was probably something around the corner that I was going to be facing that I was going to need my world to be still, calm, and at rest. My fear was that I didn’t know what that was, or when it was coming. I pondered on the words that Holy spirit said to me for two days, and I realized I needed better boundaries in my life for my and the girls. I did the only thing I knew to do, I turned to scripture. I looked for ways that Jesus set boundaries in His life, examples that I could use to help me understand why we needed boundaries and how to implement those without feeling guilty about it. I struggle to tell others no when at times “no” may be what is best for our family.

When I started searching the scriptures, I found so many examples of Jesus having boundaries. He didn’t just jump because someone asked him to or better yet because they “told” him to. He didn’t act just because they expected him to on their schedule. The story of Lazarus shows us this. John 11 teaches us that Lazarus was sick and Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to come quickly to help their brother Lazarus, but when they came to Him pleading with Him to come to their brother who was sick, Jesus waited TWO days where Hw was. He wasn’t in a hurry. He didn’t rush. He ministered to them when He got there. And in the end Lazarus was raised from the dead. We don’t always have to be in a hurry to be able to accomplish what we need to accomplish. We don’t always have to operate on someone or everyone else’s time schedule.

Jesus also gave us examples of going off by himself so he could spend time in prayer. He modeled for us the importance of time alone and time talking to and forging a relationship with the Father. This example of a boundary was so important to me on making sure time alone with the Father is protected in our home.

Once I had realized that I needed better boundaries and had started trying to implement them, Covid-19 decided to show it’s face. The world was different all of a sudden. People were scared and were operating out of fear. Some thought it was political, some thought it was a conspiracy theory, some realized this for what I believe it is, a spiritual awakening. The Father, so graciously handed us a gift that far too many people have wasted by complaining, griping, and being fearful.

Now don’t get me wrong, I think that Covid-19 has been a tragic hit to our world. It has taken far too many lives and it has impacted so many people in a negative way physically, emotionally & financially, but it has also given us a gift that so many I feel may have possibly missed.

The past 7 weeks have taught me what really matters and what doesn’t. It has taught me what I can live without and what I can’t. Seven weeks ago, my life looked very different than it does now. I for one, am thankful for the season of rest, I am thankful for the time with my girls, I am thankful that life slowed down and gave us a new perspective on what really matters and what doesn’t.

I am thankful that this season of rest has given us a new normal……….

Love, Lori