Complete Rest

I have never been known for taking naps or sleeping in. To me, sleep is essential to survival but not a hobby. I always feel like I'm waisting precious time when I am asleep and life is to short to be sleeping it away.Each night, falling asleep is a battle for me. I switch positions, switch rooms, whatever I have to do to fall asleep. It's not that I don't want to sleep or that I am not tired but that my mind has yet to learn the art of rest.
My mind is filled with worries of the past, present and future. No wonder why even after a 10 hour sleep session I am still exhausted the following day. I replay scenarios of my complicated life over and over like skipping cd. I overanalyize everything people said or did to me on that particular day like it's my job or something. What is wrong with me? Why can't I get quiet my mind like I mute the tv?
Not only is my mind in a state of turmoil so is my life. I always have to be doing something or I get tired and bored. Even now as I write this I am exhausted from this boredem. I have had nearly 4 days of nothing but laying around and hanging with family and I am still long for rest. The rest we all need is not physical, though necessary for survival but it is spiritual rest.
Rest is more than sleep and vacationing. Rest is time with God and without it, we will always be tired.
Are you tired? Have you been exhausted lately? Has the joy you once held dear been replaced with scattered smiles?
I don't know how to help you (or myself for that matter) but God does.
"Come to me, all you who are tired and weighted down with the cares of this world. Trade your exhaustion and worries for my rest. My rest is perfect and load is light." Mt 11:28 (Benaphrazed)

ps 46:10 says to "Be still and Know that I am God"

Christmas Time

I wonder how they felt? I wonder what they thought? I wonder if they ever felt like giving up?
It was approx. a 100 miles to Bethlehem. And as I learned today, most of it uphill. Baby in the gully and seat on the noggin. I wonder what they thought about as they kept going? I wonder what kept them going? Was it the promise from above or maybe just His unfailing love. You see, I have never pondered on this journey before yesterday. Two-dozen Christmas's under my belt and it never even crossed my mind. So why did God choose to reveal it to me now? I know Jesus' b-day is tomorrow but what do Mary and Joseph have to do with me? Then it hit me.
We want the Bethlehem without the journey. We want the new car without the saving. We want the relationship without the wait. We want our Christmas presents before Dec. 25(As Pastor Nate put it). We all want the promises God has for us but could do without the sacrifice and the wait .
So why did God choose to reveal this to me now? I haven't reached Bethlehem yet, but I am still hiking up these mountains. I am not where I want to be yet but thank God I am not where I was.