I’ve been focusing on the word “rest” this year. God has revealed so much to me about this word. So much that I did not anticipate when I chose (or He lead me to) this emphasis. I prayed and meditated on the word “trust” last year. My trust in God and His care for me and mine needed to grow. I allowed a couple of things at the end of 2021 to bring my anxiety to a ridiculous high. It was as if I stood on the edge of an active volcano waiting to be swallowed up. I’m getting to my elbow surgery, but I hope you will indulge me in a little more background first.
Should I choose the word “trust” again in 2022? I knew I wasn’t trusting Him with my life details. Did I learn anything last year? And then it came to me. “Rest” as in “rest in the Lord”. Another version of “trust”, if you will. So I settled down with my Faithful Life Planner and my word to get to work.
I looked up verses on trusting and resting in the Lord. I prayed them and meditated some more. And then I stumbled upon (I don’t really believe it was by accident) a couple of bloggers who were posting about different ways to interact with this chosen word for the year. And these exercises blew my mind (like a volcano, if you will).
At some point I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to me, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV I knew I needed to pull in close to our all-powerful God and learn to trust Him more. But He opened up a whole mess of other ways He wanted me to learn to rest.
I get enough sleep – most of the time. But I don’t sabbath well and I am not ok with being unproductive. And the Holy Spirit whispers, “It is good to have set aside moments that you don’t produce, Lauren.” He called me by name, there. It’s getting very personal and quite serious.
And Now – the Elbow Surgery
On May 18th I underwent surgery for tennis elbow. Never having played a single game of tennis, I nevertheless had frayed tendons. This outpatient procedure came early (5:30 am early) and wrapped up quickly. With anesthesia and pain meds in my system, I gave myself permission to take it easy for the day. (Even typing that sentence is preposterous, but sadly true.) I watched TV and slept in the recliner. Nothing physically strenuous and nothing to even tax the mind. What a good patient!
The day after surgery I stayed on my pain meds, but decided that computer work was restful enough. And I had time before getting cleaned up and dressed up to go to my daughter’s voice recital – the day after surgery. Day 2 stunk. With limited range of motion in my elbow and the wrist brace to restrict movement there I had a terrible time typing. I tried multiple positions and propped with various pillows before saying words that I won’t subject you to.
I tried to answer texts and e-mails on my phone but kept dropping it due to the unforgiving nature of the wrist brace. Well I eventually resorted to the accessibility features on both my computer and phone so that I could talk-to-text. The silicone valley wizards improved this technology greatly since its inception, but it still struggled to understand my Texas twang. Which I do understand is excessive.
By the time I got the hang of talk-to-text, I was frustrated and exhausted. And do you remember me saying I was still on heavy duty pain meds. I tried to write, sleepy and fuzzy with strained capabilities. In several hours I accomplished remarkably little. Resting would have been a much better use of my time. I wish I had let myself relax for a second day.
So here we are half way through the year, and it doesn’t appear that I’ve learned much. But life is more than a snap shot. God shows me more every day, but in my sin nature I sometimes fall back into old habits. I’m so thankful for grace, mercy, second and 49th chances.
The Link Up
Who to feature is always a hard choice for me, but Linda Stoll’s Doing the Blogging Life was so unique. I confess I didn’t have time to answer her questions or read the responses, but I’m going back! If you are a blogger and you haven’t weighed in yet, make sure you do. Thanks for starting the discussion, Linda.
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.
3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).
We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Now Let’s Link Up!
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Productivity and rest are so hard to balance. We need both, but it’s easy to slide too far one way or another.
I don’t think I’ve ever slid too far toward rest. But I’m trying to inch closer.
Lauren, Thank you for sharing with us your elbow surgery and rest. I love how God is leading you to trust with rest. I find that when I trust it is easier to rest.
I know trust is the key, Deborah. And intellectually I do. He is teaching me, for sure.
Thank you for sharing your story Lauren, I’m glad God is whispering and prompting you toward rest. Blessings.
Thank you, Paula!
I love how one word leads to another, like trust led you to rest. I laughed at your attempts for technology to understand your Texas twang. I have the same problem with my Alabama accent. 🙂 Yes, I’m also grateful for God’s mercies new every day! I need them.
Me too, Lisa. My Texas born and raised best friend moved to Alabama years ago and now has your accent!
Awesome. 🙂 There’s a lot of similarity between the two!
Right?
Oh, what a surprise to see the Doing the Blogging Life post here. Thanks, friend! Yes, plenty of time to weigh in … I find the whole conversation of what we do and why to be fascinating and motivating.
Will be picking up with this and running with it at some point in the future.
Meanwhile, please give yourself plenty of grace and space as you heal …
I was so glad to feature you, friend. And I am trying to learn how necessary grace and space are!
After I had my spinal fusion surgery, I actually did let myself rest for those 6 weeks – I rarely cooked. However, I had planned ahead – I had the stack of books I wanted to read (that comforted in the pain of the recovery instead of challenging a foggy brain – and it made a huge difference during the nights I couldn’t sleep because of the pain), the yarn for the knitting projects (I knit a bunch of baby hats), and a bird feeder outside my window with the camera beside me to practice bird shots. It was awkward. I was uncomfortable – but I actually gave myself permission to rest in my very favorite ways as pain and recovery allowed – which, I admit, would have been much more difficult if I couldn’t have used my wrist! I’ve found rest/trust is also letting go of other’s expectations of what you should be doing with your time. I think that was the hardest part.
I can’t even tell you how much I love this and the care you gave yourself. I will be learning from you.
I find rest challenging too. Hope your elbow is feeling much better!
Thank you.
It’s good that you recognized how much you needed to rest on Day 2 after your surgery. Sometimes, it takes us a long time to learn the lessons we know we need to learn. Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 23.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
I can be pretty hard headed, but I keep trying to learn to do better.
Oh that sounds just like me! I was so bad about resting after my latest surgery and even began spiking small fevers each evening– a sure sign I was over doing it!
Been there too, Joanne. Why can we be so hard headed?
We are Word Sisters with our common emphasis on REST!
I know! I have really enjoyed reading your posts on the subject.