Gleaning by the Ocean

I love to walk along the seashore, hunting for shells, smooth stones and discovering the treasure of sea glass. Gleaning by the ocean is soothing. 

Photo by Jeanne Doyon

There is something about the ocean that draws me. Peace and power in the same place.  Click to Tweet

Kind of like Jesus

During this season of REST, I spent a couple of days by the shore. It was chilly—not really beach weather but the time away refreshed me.

The book of Ruth held treasure for me as I sat by the water's edge. No matter how many times I read her story, I glean something new. Her story draws me too, because it is filled with precious truths.

I read:

“May the Lord reward your work and your wages be full from the Lord…under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”  Ruth 2:12

My reward and wages may not look like the world’s because God’s definition of success come from the Kingdom dictionary.

It is HE that rewards my work.

My wages are full from HIM.

How well, He knows me. I am trying to prove myself again – to others – to myself – and maybe even to God.

Forgive me, LORD.

My calendar doesn’t prove my success, nor does my income.

It’s my obedience, reliance and trust in my God who provides. Jehovah-Jireh. And, it is the fruit that remains.

Photo by Jeanne Doyon

I feel like Ruth gleaning in the field. Trying to provide. Trying to survive. Then You LORD, like Boaz, say,

“Come here [Draw near], that you may eat of the bread and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar. So [Ruth] sat beside the reapers; and he served her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left.”  Ruth 2:14

Then Ruth shared with Naomi [verse 18].

I’m always amazed at how God speaks to me through His word. Click to tweet

Wherever I am; whatever I am going through, His word is for right then. 

I Heard God say:

• Draw near to Me.
• I AM your source.
• Blessings come from MY hand.
• I provide plenty so you can eat and be satisfied.
• I provide plenty so you can share the abundance with others.

Photo by Jeanne Doyon

Like Ruth, I glean despite the famine in my soul. Spiritual hunger spurs me to find something to satisfy the empty places.

“Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field…” Ruth 2:8

How often do I try to gather scraps from different fields hoping to be satisfied? Click to Tweet 

Lord, show me where to gather…under your protection…under the shadow of your wings. Help me to draw near and receive from your hand.

His word is powerful and it brings peace. Like the ocean, it is peace and power in one place. It speaks to my situation today. And will speak again tomorrow. The Living Word is like that.

Here is a free image to share:

Gleaning by the ocean produced fruit and treasure for my weary soul. He fed me from His hand and I am satisfied. I have plenty to share.

Where are you gleaning today? Does it satisfy?

Jeanne

The book of Ruth is just four chapters long but is called one of the great love stories of the Bible. Though she was a foreigner, her lineage goes straight to Jesus. Further proof of God's love for every person, no matter their background or nationality.

For more insight on rest from Holley Gerth, check out her recent post on (in)courage called, A Better Kind of Ambition

All photos by Jeanne Doyon

Pre-order your Keyword study of the book of Ruth:

Read fiction stories about Ruth:

Why Rest is Not a Four-Letter Word

 

I am not made to run like the Energizer bunny. TWEET THIS

I often think, others can - why can't I? But, if I'm honest with myself I can admit I don't want to.

Rest is not a four-letter word. Instead it holds what I need, time to step back and assess. Time to be still and stop the striving. And the place where I discover it's okay to let the world's stuff to go on without me for awhile.

Give Yourself Permission

Image courtesy of Morguefile.com

In the midst of all of the New Year goal setting hype, I’ve hit a wall. I’ve been writing 500+ words a day, watching my diet, exercising faithfully, pumping iron, cleaning closets, reading my Bible…you get the picture. Today, I am a lump in the rocking chair with an afghan spread across my lap.

Do I feel guilty – A bit.

Do I need the down time – Yes.

Grace is about giving myself permission to rest, without guilt.

I’m realizing a need for more sources to fill my cup. Of course I automatically think of more time with God. But, that can also become a source of guilt unless I realize that He is always with me and that sometimes I need to get off by myself to do something I enjoy—allowing Him to fill me along the way.

So, thanks for extending me grace today for writing a light blog post.

How do you fare on the ‘out of steam’ meter? Where do you go to have your cup refilled?

Fill my cup, Lord…cuz, I'm running on empty.

                                        Jeanne
 

Sabbatical Rest

I'm back. A special thank you to all of my guest bloggers!! I hope you were blessed by their words; I certainly was. It was wonderful to see God at work through different eyes.

My time of sabbatical was full of rich blessings. It took quite awhile to set up the guest blogs (A note to those who would like to incorporate guest writings) but once I navigated the formatting issues it all got done. I enjoyed getting glimpses into the lives of these wonderful friends as they shared their hearts.

So, a bit about my time apart...

Fasting from Facebook was a huge goal during this time. Though I admit I did peek a little, other than announcing the blogs each week on social media, I tried very hard not to linger. This is something I want to continue. Time is so precious and once it's spent, there is no getting it back. So, one thing I learned is that,

               I want to be more intentional.

Stewardship of my day is important.

I also enjoyed my home. I cooked and baked - both of which I really enjoy. I took walks, spent time with my husband, went to visit my family, and even took a couple of days to getaway alone. All of these things filled my empty cup. If you have never planned a getaway, I highly recommend it.

A few nuggets gathered during my time alone: The words that repeated in my journal time were

chosen

intentional

Mark 3:16 says, "He appointed (chose) the twelve."

                      He chose me too

Interesting, that Ephesians 1:5 says that God 'chose us from the foundation....by the kind intention of His will.'

                      Being intentional involves making choices

As my hubby and I rode bikes to Watch Hill, RI and saw all the 'McMansions'...

           He is preparing a place for me - a mansion in glory

As I sat by the ocean early one morning with a cup of tea, a tractor was grading the sand - wiping away yesterday's flaws.

                  

His mercy is new every morning 

 

 

In the gentle peace of this place

You are here

I'm listening to the surroundings

Will you touch my soul with the burning coal of your presence

Light the fire of your love alive in me

Quicken my heart to beat with yours

 

Have you taken time to be alone with God lately? What have you heard through your surroundings?

 

A getaway may be just the thing to help encourage intentional living.

 

 

Jeanne

 

Photos by Jeanne Doyon 2013



Suggestions for intentional living and drawing near to God:

Worn Out?

Courtesy of Morguefile.com

Come away by yourselves and rest awhile… Mark 6:30-32

Have you ever felt worn out?

We run the race in a fast paced world and often are forced to wear many hats. The demands we face can deplete us unless we have a plan to rejuvenate from time to time. The trick is to plan time to refresh ourselves before we begin to experience the burn-out so prevalent in our culture.

I’ve been on the brink one too many times. I don’t mean to let it get that far, but in my own strength I think, ‘just one more day’. But, one more day can mean the difference between strength and weakness. I’ve found it to be a false economy because once I burnout, it can take weeks or even longer to regain my strength.

Jesus tells the disciples in this passage, they need to rest. If you notice the events leading up to this statement, they had been ministering non-stop to the crowds—feeding, healing, delivering. And, it’s notable that though Jesus was God in the flesh, He still took time to get away alone with the Father to pray. He spent time alone before making big decisions. And, He was alone before beginning His ministry.

It’s easy to fool ourselves that we can do it alone. We can’t. John 15 tells us that we can do nothing apart from Him. Because of this, He sent His Spirit to give us power to be the witnesses He calls us to be (Acts 1:8). We need time in His presence to fill our cup with the power He provides. We can’t give from an empty vessel. It’s like letting our well run dry. It takes time to prime it again so it can work to capacity. Jesus says He is the Source of Living Water that will overflow our lives as we stay close to Him.

Jesus said, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

I suggest a Getaway with God from time to time. A getaway is easy to plan and it will restore your soul and your strength.

Have you struggled with burnout? How have you regained your strength?

 

                                            Jeanne

 

 

For more information about burnout: signs, combating, take a look at his informative article.