Rest for the Weary

~ Rest for the Weary ~

This Post I am writing today is my follow up to "Binding Up the Wounds" Post that I wrote recently ..If you haven't read it ...and have the time Read it first .

In the last post I wrote about Healing ..that post was Inspired By God ...the evening after I wrote that post I gathered myself into bed and pulled out my Bible and concordance and asked God what the next step in healing is ?

My Answer came quickly as I immediately had "Rest" as the answer.

( I took this pictures recently on our Vacation to Cambria and one evening while I was "RESTING" in the adirondack chair overlooking the ocean the clouds moved into a beautiful picture that I couldn't miss out on. This clouds Parted into this most beautiful opening that the Sun shone through and glowed upon the ocean with such Beauty. I wished at that moment that my Lord would reach a hand out through those clouds that I could grasp ..And then I realized that his Glory was all around me and his handiwork was showing in this unbelievable Picture of Beauty)

I don't know about you but "REST" is a bad word in my vocabulary ...or at least it was. I come from a long line of very hardworking family of physical laborers. I grew up seeing that falling into a chair, "Dog Tired" if you will, was a positive thing. I remember more than once hearing the addage "Idle hands are the devils workshop." This wasn't a saying used as a scare tactic in our home just a spoken fact that lazing around and doing nothing for too long could lead to undesireable behaviour. And that is true.

My Last name is Vanderwork. It is of Dutch origin and means " To-Work." I cannot even begin to tell you how appropriately that name fits our family, (man or woman).

Lay aside the last name and I'm sure there are many of you that can realte to a family of hardworkers' and I'm sure you can relate to what all that hardwork can do to a person rather it's been a loved on you have watched or you are the one working endlessly without rest.

Our bodies and our minds are quite amazing. The stamina a person can have physically and mentally is mind boggling. God created an amazing system !

But as I turned in my concordance to the topic of REST I was presented with a scripture that I already knew but definitely have not practiced.

Genesis 2:2

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he RESTED from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it Holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating he had done.

I had to ask myself how many years it had been since I read "In the Beginning," and it's been a long time. It was one of those things I guess I thought I didn't need to read again as I had heard it since I was little and I knew what happened ...

All I can say is, I have learned a valuable lesson. Re-reading something just because you have heard it a dozen times or more isn't a bad idea, there are new lessons to be learned and new seasons of life in which to learn them. God can speak to us through the same scripture many times over each time in a different way.

I realized that "Who am I" to think that I am above God ? Because really that is what I have ultimately been doing.

By not RESTING, nor thinking I needed to REST, working hours upon hours passing up lunch, working through dinner, filling every waking moment with work, "Addicted to Work" I was saying I was greater than God.

In Genesis 2:2 It says that God rested from his work of creating.

"God needed a REST" ...."God needed a REST"

The Creator, The King, El Shaddai, he needed a Rest ! (Now I know that this was his way of showing us what he wanted us to do and I completely understand that. But at this moment in time where I am at God helped me to see that he even took a REST rather he needed it or no ..he clearly laid out a perfect plan and I was putting myself above it)

We are told that He created us in his image. Then if we represent him I gather following in His Footsteps isn't such a Bad Idea !!! If God RESTED from his work how much more do we need to follow his lead.

I can't remember where I gathered this tidbit of info., but did you know that while you are sleeping your body is getting a maintenance job ? It's True, while we sleep our body repairs itself all on it's own ! Remarkable Hah ! Taking that into consideration "REST" is like getting a tune up on your care or doing a disk clean-up and defrag on your computer.

If you don't take Good care and maintenance to either of these Machines they will quite Running. A car with little Brake Pads or a Computer with a Virus would both be very bad ...Then why don't we consider or value our bodies in the same way ?

With that in mind, how much more emphasis should we put on caring for our own physical and mental well being and providing ourselves with "REST" so the mind (the bodies computer) can clean up and defrag..and so the body can Tune itself up for some more mileage, and so the Soul can be refreshed !

Rest is Key in healing ...rather it's physical or Emotional healing that is needed.

I lie down and sleep

I wake again

Because

The Lord Sustains me.

Psalm 3:5

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I will Lie down and sleep

in peace,

for you alone, O Lord

Make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

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Lastly I found that in one of the Beautiful Stories of the New Testament where Jesus feeds the Five Thousand, that "REST" is was an intrical and important part of this feast for the disciples. Something I have never noticed as an important part of this passage.

In Mark 6: 30-32 it reads:

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Jesus knew what the disciples were going to be facing and because he knew their bodies and capabilities better than themselves, he know they needed REST. so he took them to a "Quiet" place to get REST.

Here this Miracle was going to take place and the disciples were to be part of it and Jesus knew they needed REST. And he provided REST for them. What would have happened if the diciples would have told Jesus. " No Thanks, hey were good, were not tired in the least, we can handle it, we think were strong enough and know our bodies better than you ..So Gee thanks but lets just get on with things."

Would they have grown weary and Lost out on the opputunity of a life time to not only witness a miracle, but to be part of it ?

I had to turn that scenario around and ask myself, " How many times have I turned away REST and worked until I really was completely unproductive?" Answer = ALOT. Then I had to ask, What did I miss out on ? What oppurtunities did the Lord have in store from me that I "Turned Down" because I thought I was better, knew better that God and didn't need REST like him ?

I will never know what I have lost becausee of my choice of "UNREST" but from this day forward I can choose, (it is a choice) to do better and "REST."

"REST" another step in the healing process. Start "Resting" today, and a beautiful Oppurtunity just might come your way ..and while your resting take this precious time to Grow Closer to the Lord.

Your Sister in Christ ....Sara

Sweet Magnolias Studio Doll Workshop * New Class Fee *

Hello Dear Friends ...

As Many of you know I opened my first online workshop for Creating a Pictorial Sawdust Doll back in April. I started the Class out at a twenty five dollar one time fee ...and have had a beautiful response considering this is my first class.

Recently I have had alot of inquiries regarding the class ..however ..I have found that our tough economical times has hindered many of you unable to take the class because of the Fee. I know it's tough on everyone right now ..and We are all looking for things to keep us busy, that are fun and Yet are social at the same time from our homes. This Class allows you to learn some new processes right at home, allows your creativity to flow, and allows you to make new friends during the process by chatting with other members of the workshop.

I have decided to reduce the price of the class to $15.00 , I hope this helps many of you out that have desired to take the class and those of you who are finding it for the first time. The $15.00 a one time Fee... for the Lifetime of the class. You are provided with all the graphics and taught how to print them to fabric ..along with tips and tricks for the aging process if you so desire ...and I believe it's either 10 or 11 videos that I teach you the step by step process of creating your own Pictorial sawdust doll. Plus I am available at all times for any help you may need.

This Class will take you beyond making the doll ..as when you let your imagination go ..you can use the process I teach you to do a number of other creative projects.

Come Join the class when you get a chance ..and you'll be able to take those old family photograhs and make your "Early Finds Meet Modern Times"

Just click on the class Logo to be directed to the Main page of the workshop !

Binding Up The Wounds

Healing

Do you ever feel like you need to be saved ? Do you ever feel like Crying out for help ?

I think we all experience this at times in life. Probably more now than ever with the hard times that have fallen upon so many.

I have heard it said countless times over the years, that when times are "Good" we humans, "Children of God" forget him, forget that all we are and all we have is because of him and begin to grow farther from him.

Yet when Death, Destruction, or Hard Times of any kind befall us we cry out for him, either pleading for help or mercy or healing or understanding and so on...because of the uncomfortable and even painful state we are in. Or we Lash out in Anger because we blame him for our misfortune or bad times that have emotionally overcome us.

I think it's a typical reaction we have as humans not only toward God but toward each other. Rather it's aimed at or received from friends, family, co-workers or even strangers.

Happiness just seems to flow with the Good Times and Unhappiness with the Bad Times. It's our nature.

My sharing this with you today all stems from my search in my Bible for scriptures on Healing. I know you are saying right now what does this have to do with healing. As most people think of healing as a broken leg or some kind of disease. But in many cases ..People just need healing from life. Not just physical wounds need healing but emotional wounds need healing. And Right now ..in these times ..I think there are probably many with emotional wounds that are crying out for help and healing.

Well as I searched my concordance I was directed to

Psalm 147:3

He heals the Brokenhearted

AND binds up their wounds.

I thought it quite amazing that of all the scriptures on healing I looked up first it was this one ...Because to the opposite page in my bible my eye was caught by some scripture that was highlighted in Orange ..which I must have highlighted many years ago and I immediately realized it was connected to healing.

Psalm 145: 18-19

The Lord is near to all who call on him

To all who call on him in "TRUTH"

He "FULFILLS" the desires of those who fear him

He "HEARS" their cry and "SAVES" them

God helped me to see in these scriptures that there is a beginning to our healing.

Rather you are healing from a broken relationship, bad choices made, financial woes, emotional pain and so on.... We are told some Key things in these scriptures.

1. If you are calling on the Lord "he is near to you" (even if you don't feel it ..it says he is ..so take comfort he is standing by you or possibly even cradling you in the palm of his hand)

2. We must be calling on him in "Truth" ( to me this means that you must truly mean what you say not playing games with God, Truly being sorry for your sins and Truly desiring what is honorable and right in his eyes)

3. It says "he will fulfill the desires" ( right here we are assured he will take care of our desires) I had to ask myself what my desires are and are they in line with what God would want ?

4. We are told he hears our "Cry's" (Isn't this what so many of us need ? Our "Cry's" to be heard ?) Take comfort he hears and he's weeping with you and me. Just as when we are rejoicing in happiness he rejoices with us.

5. Lastly it says "He Saves them" ( do you need to be Saved ? or Healed ?) Then know that he shall save you ... Just continue asking.

If you read on to Verse 20 it reads:

The Lord watches over "All " who " LOVE " him.

Do you " LOVE " him ? I know I do. So I know that where I am at right now... Today...At This Moment ... in my life he is watching over me. I take comfort in that and my hope is that you will Too.

That brings me full circle in my search for Scriptures of healing to the first one I was directed to.

If you are brokenhearted ( and a brokenheart is not just specific to that of romance, But to that of any loss or pain) Then know He will Bind up your wounds as it says in Psalm 147:3

~ ~ ~

Once again my mind turns to our Human Nature ..and I imagine that since God made us so very alike in Nature, that like me you too have little patience and it can ware rather thin very quickly.

In Psalm 147:3 The "Key" phrase I realized was "Bind Up Wounds"

To me Binding up wounds doesn't mean the wounds are gone but they are being dressed with aides to heal them. The Scripture doesn't say the wounds are gone, that they have vanished. So I realize that Healing is a process. Just like a cut or a scrape that our bodies have been inflicted with physically..depending on the severity of that wound, the healing process "the binding up time" can be a short span of time or a very lengthy span of time. All depending on the healing process necessary for the individual.

This I believe applies to the "wounds of Life." So consider when you are feeling impatient and wanting the pain or discomfort of whatever issue in life you are facing to be over " NOW" ...that God's timing is perfect timing. The Bindings will fall away and the healing process will be perfect "IF ONLY" we allow him to bind our wounds, call on him in truth and he will hear our cry's and Save us.

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Trust in the Lord with all your Heart

and "Lean Not" on your own understanding

In all your ways Acknowledge him(praising him in all things)

and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5

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I think the Key to all of this is doing your "Best" each day. There is no doubt that our impatience will flare up and overcome us at times, that we will have doubts that creep into our minds, that our trust will waiver, and that the ever day disturbances of life will try to hamper the healing process.

But if each time these or any other issues come to mind or face us head on at any moment ..we must try our hardest to remember these scriptures and the promises we have been given and we will endure.

There's an old saying "Putting one foot in front of the other"

So dawn with me today your spiritual shoes .. and begin putting one foot in front of the other and claiming these scriptures for healing in your life. Bind yourself in the word of God.

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May God Bless you and Keep you my Dear Friends ..

With the Love of God ...Sara

More from my Vacation

I'm finally back from our vacation ...and it was ever so nice...I spent so much time away from our room that I just didn't have the time to add my pictures to my blog while away ...

We Stayed at the Cambria Shores motel ..a Beautiful Place that is family owned I believe for 3 generations.

What drew us to this place was that it was " Dog Friendly " #1 and also that it sat right on the ocean.

I have to say that I have never stayed at a more welcoming place or more comfortable place away from home ..It truly was a home away from home and the Maggie and Scout just loved it.

I was amazed at how many others travel with their pets ..the entire 7 days we were there the place was buzzing with travelers and their pets ..from 2 little Beagles that howled histarically ...to mixed breeds and eve a couple scotties just to name a few. Everyone had Doggie ediquette...Which was so refreshing ..and the motel ..really catered to them. From a Doggie basket that you were give on arrival with dog biscuits, a towel, a doggie magazine, and pet pick up mitts ...it was just great. And to top things off an outdoor doggie bath was provided for everyone to wash their pooches in after a day at the beach with them ..(pictures of the bath are below).

For the Doggie counterparts .."Us Humans" ..well we were treated positively wonderful as well. During the afternoon you could stop in at the office and pick up warm baked cookies ...followed by evenings with H'orderves and then Yummy Deep Dark Chocolate Brownies at Night fall.

To the front of the property were Adirondack chairs and benches set up ..to sit in throughout the day and listen and watch the rise and fall of the waves ..the passers-by , the surfers, and all the squirrels that lived in the brush (which were many). So while sitting throughout the day ..we could pop into the office for a treat while we sat and enjoyed the ocean roar and the warm rays of sunshine.

O.k. On to the pictures !!! and dont' forget to click on them to get a larger view ...

Above is a shot I took of the Center Garden at the Motel ..looking back to the rooms ..we had the room just behind the truck in the picture ..in the far corner

This is another picture of the Garden from the front of the property.

This is from the street that fronted the property ...

This wood boardwalk ran the length of the oceanfront ..in front of the motels... I would say it was a good 2 miles long ...and took you to points you could access the beach. or to High points you could stand or sit and overlook the ocean.

This is the motel again from the boardwalk looking up ..

This was a point down the boardwalk where you could sit on a wood bench under a tree and just relax and listen to the crashing waves.

At another point ..the boardwalk took you to an area you could climb down to the shoreline where all these rocks were ...and if you look closely you can see all the Seals sunning ...This was common every day ...The seals would come in and find a place on the rocks and make their way up on them.

Here was a few friends just hanging out together....

If you look closely or click on the picture to enlarge it ..you can see the vast amount of rocks and that they are covered in Seals. It was so cool to see them. It really is awesome to actually get to see them up close ...And you could actually get close to the seals they weren't fenced off ..and the rocks had wonderful tidepools with sea life in them as well ...

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I have more pictures coming some of my favorites that I can't wait to share with you ..so stay tuned for more.

Hugs and Blessings ..Sara

Vacation Part II

Part II

~ Our Trip to see the Elephant Seals ~

Just a few miles up the highway north of Cambria ... is the place to go ! What an awesome sight !

This is the home or I guess I should say site of the Elephant Seals ..They beach here and there is a massive viewing area that you can park and walk to, to view the seals. And It was very busy with people coming and going to see them and take pictures.

The Beach area that the seals come in on ...is all fenced off so they are untouched by us Humans ..which is all the better for many reasons ...Just viewing them is an awesome treasure...And considering some of these Seals can get up to 5,000 lbs I don't think you would actually want to get to close anyhow.

Right now is the moulting season for the Males ..so you will see in the pictures that their skin does look a bit shabby ...

O.k. now for the pictures ...and remember if you want a larger view of any of the pictures just click on them

Yep all those lumps in the sand ..are the elephant seals ..sunbathing

It was just a crack up watching them sleep...see the one in the front left corner ..this was one of the largest ..in the pict. it looks quite small ..but let me tell you it was massive ..and of all things it was laying on it's backside and when it breathed it's lips warbled as it blew out ...it really made you laugh. The others around it all were laying on one another ...and ever so often they would use their fins and scoop sand and then they would throw it on themselves, I wish I knew how to take one of those quick picts ..where I could have shown the sand flying !

This Seal was headed in out of the ocean while we were there , among several others that were making their way in along the shoreline. It was amazing to watch them use the waves to push their bodies in as far as possible before they had to bodily scoot the remainder of the way.

Isn't this the sweetest ... a little guy ..sound asleep

This Guy ...really was throwing his weight around ...Just arriving from the ocean ..He made himself well known to the others ..and proceeded to bully each and every comfortable seal along the beach.

This is one he bullied and is quickly moving away.

Here two of the larger Seals ...began to Mock Fight. I guess they Mock fight with one another to prepare for the time they may have to actually defend themselves. It was amazing to watch them and see how powerful they are ..they would actually bite into one another and let me tell you if a person had been down there and that seal would have tried to bite them ...their jaws could have snapped a leg in half. Oh and yes they were doing this right by the baby ...

More Mock Fighting

Taking a bite out of one's neck !!! Ouch !

Finally the Baby has no choice but to move as this mock fighting is getting rather serious and coming it's way !

Here's the next wave of seals headed in to shore.

It's pushing off as the waves help it into shore.

What a Face ...!!! ...all the seals as they settled into the sand in their resting spot would take their heads and dig deep into the sand .....

Off in the distance ...from the seals ...stands a Beautiful knoll with a lighthouse upon it ...what a Beautiful Picture !!!

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This was a great day trip and for those of you who may vacation to this area ..I must say make the trip it's worth it.

You know as I looked at these wonderfully majestic creatures ..the ocean that spanned beyond what my eye could see ..the sandy shores... The sun that shone down.... and the amazing view that surrounded me ...I was in awe of Such a Creation. I had to ask myself ....how can anyone believe that this just happened ??? Is there anything in life that just combusts into something so awe inspiring ? Not to my knowledge. And I knew then and there that Once again it just proved that Our God is a Grand God ...making a world that is full of awe and wonder.

If you take your eyes off of the man made world that surrounds us and focus on all the things that are naturally formed to this world ...your eyes see God !

So Many people say How can I believe when I can't see him or hear him ? But He gave us eyes to see and gave us many intrical parts of himself all around us if we only look closely we can not only see him but we can touch him ..by picking a flower ..touching the leaf of a tree, feeling the ocean on our feet, seeing the birth of a baby and holding it in your arms...and on and on

Did you know Our Lord Loves Blue ..as he created the sky not any other shade ...he loves Green ...as the trees that surround us reflect this in each leaf that grows upon them... Look a bit closer and you'll see that each animal he created is unique in style, shape and color ...which only shows that he loves variety ...these are only a few examples now you think of more .....

Now as I have been here on vacation ..I have experienced the ocean breeze that constantly blows ....and I can't see it but I can feel it... And I realized that once again God was with me ...In the wind ...I can't see him ..but I can feel him in my heart ..

God is all around us every day ...More than we even give thought too. Our daily lives become so accustomed to the man made world we live in that we only give thought ..to man made this or that ..or manmade built this or that or created this or that ..as new buildings go up ..and new signs are made ..and new clothes are purchased ..and new shoes (man made printed on them) are purchased ...and imbedded in our mind is Man, Man, Man, and God quickly dissappears from our lives.

When Have you recieved a gift of late that was God Made. A bouquet of flowers, a basket of Pinecones, a Puppy or Kitty, etc. etc. ???

Not often I'm sure ...and I guarantee they don't come with a tag that reads ..Handmade by God... If they only did ...!!! Just maybe we would think more often how if it wasn't for his awesome creation we wouldn't enjoy such beautiful treasures, Like the Ocean, the Mountains, the Plains, The desert, the animals, the flowers, and on and on and on.

Try and take a new and fresh look at the world around you ...even if you live in the big city ..in a high rise ...you will find God their too ...Man May try and blot him out ..but they never will because the work of their hands is actually the work of Gods hands...

Begin to see God all around you in a whole new way...

I remember when I was little my Mom would play a game in the car with me ..and she would point things out....and then I had to answer rather they were man made or God made ...Maybe as adults we need a little refresher try playing this game as you drive along and re-unite your mind with what's God Made and what's Man made .,p>

Go forth today like a Child !

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I tell you the truth, anyone who will not recieve the Kingdom of God like a little Child will never enter it. MK 10:15

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I Love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me

I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:1-2

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On Vacation

~ On Vacation ~

In Cambria, CA

Hello my Kindred Friends ....

I know it's been a while since I last posted or anyone has heard much from me.

About 3 weeks ago ..I suffered from a severe breakdown (Burnout). My story is a long one ..but to make it short ..I was a caretaker for many years to family ..along with that there were many other variables that created great pressures in my life. Along with the fact that I always put extreme pressures on myslef to be successful at anything I have done.

I can Thankfully say that my family is doing well now ..and that many of the pressures that were on me for many years have been alleviated ..However the build up of those years really took a toll on me ..and I wasn't aware of how it was affecting me.

I had been feeling ill for several months ..but just couldn't put my finger on what it was ..and finally everything just came tumbling down inside me.

Thankfully I am single and blessed to live with two very loving and caring parents ..who have come to my rescue ...and are loving me through all my tears and crys of the heart and ups and downs that burnout seems to bring with it.

They offered to take me on vacation ....and this last Saturday we made a spur of the moment decision and decided to drive up the CA Coast to a little town we once frequented when I was a youg girl ..(Cambria).

We have a Beautiful room overlooking the ocean ...and were blessed to find a pet friendly place ..as many of you know I have two dogs ( Maggie and Scout) and they are 13 and 15 ..and just to elderly to leave at a kennel. So they have to travel with us.

Both of them have come alive like puppies ..and are having a wonderful time ..I think they needed some time away from the same old backyard and house too.

The Picture above is the Beautiful Garden and Lawn Area at our Motel ...I have ton's of pictures I have taken and look forward to sharing with all of you ..and especially for those of you who have never experienced the Coast Line of the west.

Yes I am doing o.k. .... I still have my ups and downs each day ..but prayerfully get through them ...I know God promises that he will bring us out on the other side of things for the better ...and I am most certainly looking forward to the other side of this and what he has in store for my future. Although I feel uncertain now ..I know he will make my path straight.

Here's a shot of Me and My Maggie on Sam Simeon State Beach this week
This was Maggie's first trip to the ocean ...and she loved it ..She played in the water ..and was fascinated by the seaweed and amazingly didn't try to eat it ..She's one of those dogs that loves to eat anything and everything ..! Just before we left she enjoyed a freshly tore from the roll paper towel ..LOL !!!

Stay tuned for More picts.... I have bunches ..we went to see the Elephant Seals on Monday ...and I got some Awesome shots of them ..I can't wait to share with you !!! Plus more!

Have a Beautiful Day My Friends ..and Remember that God Loves You ..Right where you are at !

~ "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will Listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

"I will be found by you" declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 29: 11-14