A Moment of Leisure

"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope."

Acts 2:26

From the Just Breathe Facebook page.

Since the first of August I've taken a moment of leisure. A moment of rest. A moment of thought. It's taking a while to adjust.

I like to be productive, to have something to do that I consider worthwhile. Since November 2022, I have written hymn studies and enjoyed doing it immensely. When we first moved to NW PA, I became involved in the quilt ministry at church and worked at it for five years. I learned a skill I never thought I'd be able to do. It was a worthwhile project.

Although I'm always creating online with my pictures, writing for this and that, and enjoying the gifts I believe God gave me and using them for His glory, not having a daily purpose is hard to adjust too.

The first of August I prayed and asked God if He wanted me to continue writing hymn studies. I still have 28 new hymn studies to post online. Is there something else He wants me to do now? 

My life is changing with the advance of age of myself and my husband. I'm noticing the many changes that are becoming needs for me to meet. 

"Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."

Psalm 116:7

Unknown source.

The best thing I can do is continue my daily time with God, finding encouragement through study and singing, and resting my mind from the "I have to do this to be productive." It may be a few weeks or longer until I know I am ready to continue the work I have been doing, or God brings another avenue of service to me. 

Immersing myself into the story behind a hymn and finding Scripture that is relevant to each verse has been an inspiring and joyful activity. Just in these two short weeks I have missed the fulfillment of doing something with purpose. Resting isn't as easy as it sounds. 

I can be still. Being an introvert, solitude fills me up. Recharges me. But not doing something fulfilling, that is hard.

Allie Boman, on Biblestudytools.com wrote: "Waiting on the Lord is a deeply personal and transformative experience that requires trust, patience, and active faith. It's not about passively standing by but about confidently expecting God's perfect timing and guidance. For me, it's been a journey of learning to trust that God's plans are far greater than my own.

"Even when it's hard to see, God is always working behind the scenes, aligning everything for our good. Waiting on the Lord means believing that His timing is perfect and that He will fulfill His promises in ways beyond our imagination."

Between books that encourage and inspire me and hymns to sing and praise God with, I am blessed. I am thankful. I am grateful. I am loved. A moment of leisure. I am smiling. I'm trying to enjoy.

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him."

Psalm 62:5

By His Grace . . .