Need a Little White Space?

James Voss reads The Last of the Mohicans

He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

My team spent hours designing our experiment. We'd spent more hours training the shuttle crew to perform it on orbit. Didn't the scheduler know that? Why, then, did he refuse to allow time for the shuttle crew to do it on days I'd requested? 

Believe it or not, he insisted that my experiment wasn't the only important one being performed on that shuttle mission. (Of course it was!) He'd have to schedule ten-hour work days for the crew if everyone's requested tasks were to be done. 

If I was flexible in my requested days, he could fit it in. If I'd redesign the experiment so it could be done in four sessions rather than five, he could assure me it would be done on this mission. 


His job was to jealously guard white space - down time for the crew. 

Without scheduled breaks, the crew could become exhausted. They might have to pick and chose which tasks were more important. 

You see, the crew was too gung-ho. They'd work 24-hour days if they weren't forced to rest. The schedulers insisted on rest times spread throughout each day. During the mission, they hounded the crew to take their breaks. Unfortunately, once the guys were in the shuttle, orbiting over 200 miles above sea level, we didn't have much control. All we could do was tell them and hope they behaved.

Sound familiar? 

We all have way too many important tasks to do. We all run ourselves ragged with 30 hours of work to cram into a 24-hour day. 

But who guards our white space? Who says, "Come away with me and get some rest."?

Our kids might, except that their schedules are as packed as ours. Our husbands might, except that they have the same problem. 

Jesus does. In more ways than one. 

• He calls us to slip into a quiet space and spend time at rest with Him. 
• He makes us feel exhausted and hopes we'll listen to Him.
• He invites us to take a family vacation and give everyone time to relax.
• Sometimes, as He did with me, He says "Enough is enough!" 

He allowed me to work myself until I was sick. I even had a minor wreck because I fought going to sleep at the wheel. Still, I didn't listen. Finally, He took advantage of a lay-off and I lost my job. Boy, was I mad! I refused to acknowledge that it was my own fault. 

Like me, we all have the right to ignore Him - for a while. The crew often ignored the scheduler. If they weren't quite finished with a task when white space was set to start, they kept right on working. If they were troubleshooting a problem, they refused to give up. We knew what was going on but there was no way to reach across the miles and slap them.  

Jesus can reach across the miles and say "Sit down!" Don't make Him do that! Trust me, it isn't pretty. 

Draw aside with Him and pray about your priorities. Talk to your family. They might welcome a chance to slow down a bit. 

Above all, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”




Please share!

I'm a Bit Stressed

"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

I confess: I'm a worrier. I didn't used to be but, every year, I get worse.

The washer's making a strange sound - what if it breaks?
I haven't talked to my sister in a week. I hope she's alright.
Do we have enough to retire?
If we do retire, can I stand having my sweet husband home all day, every day?

So, I'm stressed. About silly things. Things I can't change. Things that have a one-in-a-million chance of actually happening.

Can you relate? 

Instead of focusing on the unknowns of tomorrow, we can find peace in the beautiful words in Deuteronomy 33:12

• Beloved 
• Rest 
• Secure 
• Shield 

We are the Lord's beloved, we can rest in Him - we don't have to be anxious or worried.

We can be secure in Him - He is in control. He's never caught off guard. 

He shields us all day long - every day. He knows what's coming. The silly worries or the serious struggles. He's there.

Next time stress creeps in, rest.

How does the Lord bring rest to your worries?

6 Verses to Sleep By!

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I’ve been battling insomnia the past couple weeks.

Lie awake until 2 a.m. or so, get up for a while, go back to bed and sleep 2-3 hours.

Bummer.

I finally rummaged around and found the list of Scripture verses I use in times like this. They reassure me and help me relax.

I thought that someone out there might need these too. Most of them are in Psalms but there are a few from other places.

1.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  he restores my soul. Psalm 23:2-3

What a peaceful image. Green pastures, still waters. Can you imagine the feel of the cool green grass and the sound of the water? Close your eyes and relax. God's there to restore you.

2. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Sometimes our minds just won’t slow down or we’re caught in the fear of “what-ifs.” To sleep in peace is just what we need.

 

3. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3:5

When we struggle with worries about finances or health, this verse reminds us that He’s there to take care of us and sustain us, no matter what tomorrow brings.

 

4. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.  Isaiah 32:18

Worried about a leaky roof or an AC that can’t cool the house? Be assured that God is in control of our homes. He will provide. We can be secure in His provision and our sleep can be peaceful and undisturbed.

 

5. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. Psalm 145:4-5

When I’m on edge, this reminds me that I am the Lord’s delight and He has given me grace and mercy. It’s wonderful to fall asleep humming praise songs of joy and gratitude

 

6. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

One of my favorites. When we're tossing and turning, we can be assured that God is with me, that He surrounds us with His love and sings over us. I often ask Him to put me to sleep with His lullabies.

 

And most important:

Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

Whatever’s going on in our lives, nothing catches God by surprise! He doesn’t fall asleep and miss something. His eyes are on us 24/7.

Praise the Lord!

 

Sweet dreams!

 

 

Grandson, Rafael