Unshakable Momsಮಾದರಿ

“Refueling”

Every summer we take a vacation with our family. Every mom knows that “family” and “vacation” are two words that should never go together, right? Once you become a parent, a vacation is hard work. But some of the sweetest memories come out of those exhausting vacation days together as a family, refueling and refreshing your souls to dig back into life together.

When I vacation - I realize a major clash between our culture’s version of rest and Jesus’ version of it. We are so prone to run to anything and everything BUT Christ for our refreshment. We spend our R&R laying by the pool (or chasing our kids around the pool with a bottle of sunscreen and yelling “please stop running!” for the thousandth time), watching movies, shopping and spending outrageous amounts of money on theme parks. During Jesus’ earthly ministry His rest looked quite a bit different. The Bible talks about how Jesus would get away and rise early to pray and spend time alone with His father.

Not that there is anything wrong with those fun things, but what if we escaped the mindset that we NEEDED those worldly indulgences to feel refueled? What if we stopped giving in to the whispers that tell us “it’s ok, you deserve it!”? Jesus carried more weight on his shoulders than any of us can ever imagine. Did He run to Starbucks or his chocolate stash at the end of a long day because that was the only way He could get by? No, He ran to the arms of his father. We can learn a lot from His example of where our refueling comes from. And get in line behind my friends, because I hold my chocolate stash very dear to my heart.

Whenever we are in need of refueling this week, let’s turn to the source. The source that keeps us unshakable through anything. I find that when I say no to personal indulgences to say yes to Him, I find all the strength I need. Psalm 16:11 says it so well: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever”. May you find your refueling and refreshment in Him alone, sisters!