Unforced Rythms Of Grace

As the sun rises, my feet hit the floor and I stammer into the shower. How could it possibly be morning already?  My body is tense, still feeling the weight of yesterday and already taking on the cares of the morning. As I stand beneath the warm water I pray, “Lord, give me grace for another day”.

And these days have been blurry lately. There seems to be no start or finish, rather just one continuous blob of “more to do”.

My daily routine begins as I prepare my youngest for school and head off to work. I love the church where I am privileged to work. There is a constant flow of people and I love what I do. But ministry can be exhausting as well.

Then it’s home for dinner. Actually, what is for dinner?  I haven’t had time to menu plan for months and we’ve been sort of flying by the seat of our pants in that department. I am so thankful for my husband who doesn’t mind grocery shopping and preparing dinner on a whim.

My evenings are filled with dishes, homework, baths, showers and laundry, among other things. And why is there always so much laundry?  Please tell me I am not the only mom whose children frantically search for something to wear each morning amongst baskets of washed but unfolded laundry. I can never seem to get caught up.

I have projects that need to get done. Oh, and I am planning my daughter’s wedding. There is so much more to do. Yet I find it’s easier to plop myself down on the couch with an “I will do it tomorrow” attitude. But tomorrow never seems to come.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

I am tired. And in my tired state, I have been neglecting the One who is equipped to give me the fuel I need to make it through each day. This very fuel is a necessity for my mind, body and spirit to function at the level I need in order to be successful.  I must consistently come to get my tank filled up, lest I stop functioning all together.

God promises that when I come to Him, He will show me how to rest. He doesn’t just give me rest, but He actually demonstrates rest. He helps me to rid my calendar of unnecessary tasks and appointments by giving me the courage to lay down those things that I’ve been holding onto that were never a part of His plan. And He helps me to say “no” in the moment, when those little “people pleasing” tasks come my way. He is always quick to pour out His grace, because He knows that I cannot do life on my own.

And so I come back to the Father. To the One who teaches me unforced rhythms of grace. For this is what I desire. I want to LIVE life, not be tossed to and fro by the burdens I carry. I picture this grace as flowers gently moving in the wind. They always move in the same direction as the wind. To me, they look as if they are dancing. Effortless. Full of grace. This is how I want to live life — constantly moving, effortless and gracefully, in the direction my Heavenly is calling me.

20 Responses to Unforced Rythms Of Grace
  1. Tereasa
    March 25, 2012 | 7:45 am

    Yes! This is the desire of my heart. I find that I am more easily tired and burned when I am not focused on Christ. My mornings, especially, must be for him. Thanks for the kick in the pants!

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:41 am

      I’m kicking myself right along with you Tereasa. I must get up earlier, in order to avoid chaos in the mornings! Thanks for stopping by today.

  2. Laura Rath
    March 25, 2012 | 10:14 am

    Barbie, your post today is so real and beautiful. I know I have felt this way, and I’m sure many others have as well. Thanks for sharing!

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:41 am

      Thank you my friend!

  3. Sherrey Meyer
    March 25, 2012 | 3:51 pm

    Barbie, today’s world imposes an “always running on empty” sensation. Everything needs to be done NOW, not in a few minutes, or a day, or even in an hour. Instant everything rules the land! And yes, we do forget the One, the One who loves us, the One who feeds our hungry souls, and the One who wants so much more for us than we’re able to give ourselves.

    I recommend a deep breath and a little lesson your platter for awhile. 🙂

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:42 am

      Oh yes, something I am striving for. I’ve been praying and asking Him to help me. I am getting there 🙂

  4. Michele-Lyn
    March 25, 2012 | 4:14 pm

    Ah… it is so refreshing to read your posts… I just love your heart for the Lord and how your heart longs for Him, even in the midst of the daily grind…

    I must learn, too… to carry cast my care… and remember “Mary”, who chose the Good Part…

    Blessings to you… Barbie.

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:43 am

      Thank you Michele-Lyn. That’s where I want to be, like Mary, choosing Him as my portion, above all other things.

  5. […] am over at 5 Minutes for Faith today, talking about His grace.  Here is a little snippet of what I […]

  6. Dawn
    March 25, 2012 | 7:12 pm

    Beautiful thoughts, and I love that thought “The unforced rhythms of grace”. I also appreciate your authenticity, because I so struggle with balancing this wonderful gift of a grace filled life and the real world details and demands that fill the days. I know that the verses Ephesians 2:8-10 help remind me that He has specific works for me to do and I have to discern carefully what to add. Easier said than done but by grace, we can do it! Thank you Barbie!

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:44 am

      I think that is key. To remember to always ask Him what it is we should be doing. Praying for wisdom and revelation for both of us.

  7. Kerri (a simple princess)
    March 25, 2012 | 10:33 pm

    I love how honest you always are when you write. Sometimes the daily grind can be overwhelming but when we come back to Him and lay it at His feet…you said it perfectly!
    “This is how I want to live life — constantly moving, effortless and gracefully, in the direction my Heavenly is calling me.” Me too!!!

  8. lindy
    March 26, 2012 | 8:57 am

    I agree! The rhythm of grace really hit home with me. It’s not a schedule or a to do list.

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:45 am

      I want to live my life with ease in complete unison with the Father. He is helping me.

  9. Nikki
    March 26, 2012 | 10:12 am

    Yes, Barbie, striving to learn unforced rhythms of grace with you today, friend.
    Beautiful post! Thanks for stirring my heart today!

    All for Him,
    Nikki

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:45 am

      Thanks friend. We are in this together!

  10. Dolly
    March 26, 2012 | 4:06 pm

    Thank you for sharing your heart and praying along with you to learn the “unforced rhythms of grace” and I could relate to you about saying “no” to people pleasing so I can say “yes” to Him instead…Blessings to you, Barbie 🙂

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:47 am

      I want to please God too, above people. He is all that matters.

  11. charis
    March 27, 2012 | 3:48 pm

    this is very relate-able. great encouragement.

    my recent post: a little bit of real life (and my 37.5 week maternity pics!)

    • Barbie
      March 28, 2012 | 12:47 am

      Thanks Charis!