Dear friends—old and new,
My life is a wild ride. I am not an empty-nester who is reflecting on the rest that should have been or could have been mine, but am tasting the sweet rewards of rest in the midst of a regular free-fall into chaos. I know you can relate—both to the free-fall and the power of God’s Presence found in rest.
Tim and I are raising 4 ½ teenagers. (Our oldest is 19. Our youngest is 12 ½.) At one point we had three in diapers. We now have three in the midst of the “new driver” / Driver’s Ed spectrum. We lived through the one. I suppose we’ll live through the other – by the grace of God.
I want to thank you for your companionship on this journey. We need each other. Making a cultural shift to biblical rhythm requires a demolition ball, a commitment fueled by the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of others who share the vision. With all that intact, we are a force to be reckoned with. Watch out world.
Our 12 weeks are up, but our journey is likely far from over. Mine isn’t. I’d love for you to continue on. Here’s the plan.
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I will continue to send out regular posts. They will be shorter, varied and (I hope) encouraging in every way.
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The first 12 weeks of posts are being compiled into an e-book, a free resource for you and new blog subscribers. It will include reflection questions for personal and small group use. I pray this will be a valuable tool in the lives of many. It will come out this summer.
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The blog is going to be under construction for a few weeks. During this time I am going to send out links to articles I’ve written for various Christianity Today print and on-line publications over the last few years. I have their blessing and permission. If you have an article on rhythm, rest or work you’d like me to consider passing along to others, please send it my way. Thanks.
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I will be sending out a very short survey in the next couple weeks. It will take less than a minute of your time. If you’re able to give me some feedback, I’d be grateful. I want to get a glimpse of the demographics this blog is currently reaching. I want to expand, too. I believe this is a needed message in the church today. Your partnership will be invaluable.
Remember
Rest is not a reward. We can’t earn it. We don’t deserve it.
Learning how to rest is like taking the road less traveled. It changes the trajectory of our lives.
This week? Run hard. Rest well!
Is This Your First Time Here?
Welcome!
Run hard. Rest well. launched in March 2013. We’d like to invite you to subscribe to this weekly blog. The information to do so is located on the right hand side of this page. I’d also like to encourage you to read the first 12 weeks of posts on the right hand side. (But no rush. Go slow.) Start with Week 1. Each post is numbered and lays an important foundational insight into the life-giving rhythm Run hard. Rest well.
God’s richest blessings.
Brenda
You have been a blessing in my life. The past two years have been a struggle…not with activity, but with inactivity. Old age (64) and ill health have taken their toll. Life is fragile. I’m glad you are there teaching us to be strengthened in God. Thank you.
Your words bless me.
Psalm 62:5 is my life verse. “Find rest O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.”
May our rest in Him swing God’s storehouse wide open day by day, hour by hour.
Rest well.
Brenda
Hi —
I was in Is. 58:11 yesterday and thought of you.
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
What a promise!
God’s best to you today!
Brenda
I have enjoyed following you, Brenda. Thank you for taking the time to share you thoughts with us. I too have raised 5 children, born ’79 to ’88, less than 9 years apart. It was a wild ride, but a wonderful one. By and large, I felt so priviledged to have these children and be home with them until the youngest went to preschool that the work was immaterial in relationship to the fun (I guess i mean fellowship rather than just fun). The house, of course, nwas messy (but clean enough). We had difficult times, but then I was so grateful that God placed me in my children’s lives at that time to walk through it with them. I couldnt ask for more. Lesson to me: our God is faithful. Beyond what I could ask or imagine.
Fran,
It is a remarkable privilege to share life with little people who you get to watch grow, laugh, stumble, excel, crash, ache … and a million other things.
And to know the Lord goes before, beside, within — us all!
Onward — I am guessing grandparenting is now a blessing or soon to come!
Rest well!
Brenda