“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15
It’s Thanksgiving week! A time for family, friends, and food. Many will rest and play while others will be stressed about setting the perfect table, finding enough room for all the relatives, or cooking the Thanksgiving feast. Still others will wish for these moments. For some, loneliness and loss will steal the joy, hope, and thankfulness of the season.
Holidays can either be restful or stressful. Sometimes we don’t get to choose and other times we choose attitudes of stress over rest. The pressure to be perfect enters into every thought and plan. Dealing with certain family members who get under our skin and bring out the worst in us threatens to ruin everyone’s Thanksgiving. We can’t control everything or everyone, but we can control who we go to when we feel burdened, burned out, and bummed. We can choose to turn to Jesus and allow Him to fill us with His peace and give us rest.
Rest from perfectionism. Rest from impatience. Rest from the need to impress others. Rest from the desire to show off how good we are at cooking, flag football, or table tennis. Rest from loneliness.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
On this Thanksgiving week, and throughout the year, I pray we become better at turning to Jesus to find our rest and peace. And those who are lonely and wishing for too many people and too much food on the table, remember that you are not alone. Even when you are by yourself, God is there with you. He hears you, He loves you, He knows what you are going through. And He’s walking with you.
Come to Jesus, He’ll lead you to community, fellowship, and family. Come to Jesus, He’ll lead you to rest, refreshment, and restoration. Come to Jesus, He’s what your soul is searching for.
Father, today we come before You with thankful hearts. We thank You for Your Son, for sending Your Holy Spirit to guide us, and for all that You created. We ask that You fill us with Your peace during this season of celebration that can be especially stressful when we are hurting, lonely, or overwhelmed. Give us Your rest as we cast our cares on You and allow us to lean on You when stress, grief, or loneliness overtakes us. We love You and seek to honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Spread the spark of hope everywhere you go,
Michelle
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I want to follow Jesus! How do I get started?
“This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
1 John 4:13-15
If you are ready to join the family of God, simply believe and ask. You can choose your own words or pray the prayer below. God hears your heart, simply confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and let the Spirit lead you.
“Father, I want to be yours. Forgive me of my sins. I believe that you sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and thank you for the gift of salvation through Him. I invite the Holy Spirit into my heart and surrender my life to You. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Feel free to spend time just talking to God and sharing your heart with Him. Let Him speak to you and listen as He leads you forward into new life. Welcome to the family.
Need to talk or have questions? Feel free to reach out and contact me.