Come to Me by Susan Barclay

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,” says the Lord, “and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

This seems to be God’s message for me this year as I seek to centre and focus on Him: Come to me, learn who I am, and find rest.

The scripture writing plan I followed for January centred on God with me; I am never alone. What a wonderful reminder to begin a new year. As a result of my reading, a key verse soon revealed itself: 

“Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever” (Psalm 73:25-26).

God is my strength. When I think of His love for me, how can I not be encouraged? Consider this: 

“He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). 

Wow. Those words give life. His Word gives refreshment (Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11).


I also find refreshment outdoors. When I go for a walk and take in the beauty of nature, I inhale deeply, my lungs fill up with air, and I feel that I can breathe again. The feeling of things closing in on me, or even just the stuffiness of the house, vanishes. I see God’s handiwork and am assured that the universe and planet Earth are not some random product that just happened to come together by accident. Our world is detailed, it’s ordered. God has a plan and a purpose for it, and He has a plan and a purpose for me. My story might be messy but God is weaving something beautiful with its strands.

Often I use my walking time to pray aloud. In the old days, neighbours might have wondered about the “crazy lady, talking to herself”—not so much today with our modern Bluetooth technology! They just don’t know that I’m communicating with the Lord, sharing my heart with Him and hearing His heart for me. Prayer is a pause that refreshes. Like reading the Bible, it’s a form of meditation, even if I’m not quiet about it!

Sometimes, though, God knows I need others. He’s been good in bringing godly people alongside me, people who pour into my life instead of draining me dry. Time spent with them is like drinking from a fountain. Being able to talk together about spiritual things from a common perspective is a blessing. Our tanks get filled with living water and the knowledge that our journey is communal. We are all waiting on the Lord with hope and expectation for answers to prayer and for the day He will make all things right.

Finally, I can’t imagine my life without music for my soul. Just as we open worship services with music, my day starts best when I begin with singing or listening to songs that centre on the Lord. Last month I mentioned several that came to mind as I considered my word of the year, but over the past few weeks, a couple more have really taken hold in my heart. I leave you with them and invite you to use them in your own personal refreshing today as you Come to Him.

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You can find out more about Susan Barclay's writing at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com

5 Things I Learned about the Art of Writing in 2012 - Janis Cox

This was a year of learning - big time learning. I went from writing a few posts on blogs to writing more frequently. I published my first book - Tadeo Turtle. I started into the new job of marketing. What did I learn this year?

1. I need my time with God more than ever before.

My morning time (about 1- 2 hours) has become the steadying factor in my life. As I read my Bible, pray and meditate with Him - I start the day right. Not on my own. I started a new daily practice at the end of November and love it. I read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. What an excellent start to each day. I remember my Maker, Redeemer and Friend - Jesus speaks to me.

2. I need a deadline.  

Never before have I needed to put so many to-dos and dates in my calendar. But deadlines make me write. Even my own - made up deadlines. Kimberley Payne, my friend and co-blogger at Family and Faith Matters, has me work toward certain deadlines. I am afraid I don't always make it - but I am working on this. Talk about organized - Kimberley must be the top one in this field.

3. I need to work with others. 

This year has been the "joining" of forces to find encouragement and inspiration. Over 2 years ago I started Under the Cover of Prayer with a group of willing partners. I love reading their posts - that encourages me as well as others. This year Janet Stobie, Kimberley Payne and I started a new venture - Family and Faith Matters - a blog for moms to equip them for faithful living. We now are recruiting others to be guest bloggers - writers who have children's books and would like to write on money, creativity and crafts, fitness and health, prayer, time management and education.

If you are interested contact Kimberley. And as writers I think we need this more than ever before. We can have a powerful voice if we stick together and help each other.

4. I need to find my audience.

Yes, I need to find out who wants to hear what I write. I didn't plan on writing a children's book. That just happened. My primary focus has always been prayer. That is why UTCOP (Under the Cover of Prayer) is so special to me. Now I am going down another road - moms - and children. Maybe grandmas too. So my writing is shifting to focus on my target audience - moms. I am working on this one.

5. I need to get more organized.

I am a left-brained - right-brained person. I know that sounds strange. But really I have been task-oriented and control central all my life. Now I am learning to paint - to meditate and to create. That is a brain switch. So where does that leave me - scattered. I have too many ideas, little time and no organization. So - there is my quandary. I have to organize my life to include both sides. Any ideas?


I would love to hear from you. What did you learn about writing this past year?

 

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published a couple of devotionals and a number of articles.

As owner of Under the Cover of Prayer she writes often.

Her children's book, Tadeo Turtle, is now available. An accompanying curriculum can be obtained as well.

Email her at Janis or visit her at www. janiscox.com.

Spring Cleaning - Karen Toews

Mom was a housekeeper extraordinaire. Keeping a small farm house holding a family of seven clean and organized must have been no small feat - my sister and I contributed with our Saturday's chores but it was Mom's efficiency and energy that kept things on course. Included in this regime was a thorough going-over of the house in the spring and fall. I am very grateful for her example and work ethic, but have come to terms with my standard of what's acceptable for my house.

Spring arrived this week and unlike many other years, I was house-cleaning. Sort of. I was wiping down cupboards, dusting off furniture and unpacking boxes that have been stored in an old barn for nine months. Everything was in fine condition, other than some rub marks on the leather sofa and the evidence of hungry rodents' shredded newspaper bits and fluff balls of fabric. Nothing too bad, except I have some serious mending to do on a couple Teddy bears that happen to be the grandkids' favorites.

In spite of diligent purging when I packed up all those boxes, I still have stuff that does not merit a home in our new house. It's the paper goods that trip me up. Pictures, sheets torn out of magazines, articles, books - how can they all feel like such 'close friends' when I haven't looked at many of them for months, if not years. I'm trying to be: ruthless, to anticipate what I really will use and want in the future, and allow myself freedom to make decisions to toss or not that may bring regret later.

Pretty much everything is in its place, the house is (mostly) clean - there is certainly a satisfaction to this spring cleaning thing.

I've been thinking about my other living space - the inner one where God dwells. A place where thoughts, attitudes, doubts, fear, sin - and joys, victories, yearnings, hope - wiggle into nooks and crevices. I need to review the contents of my heart for cleaning out or for polishing - regularly, not just once or twice a year.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."I John 1:9 (KJV)