A Word for the Season

It was my birthday last week.

As a lay in bed recounting the wonderful blessings I received that day, I prayed God would give me just one word to carry for the coming year.

I waited in anticipation for him to lay on me some grand word of action or accomplishment. I fought to be still – and ready to hear what he had to say, but my mind kept wandering with ideas of possibility and new adventures. Then, in between the shallow breathes of my busy daydreams, a gentle word came to my thoughts …

Rest.

What? I don’t like that word, I thought. Maybe I didn’t hear you right. Of course I heard you right. Maybe it’s a word for someone else, yes, a word I should pass along to a friend or … I don’t want that word for me, God.

Then I felt a sense of fading. Like a thickening fog drifting into an already hazy scene. I had rejected the word God had for me and in doing so, drew a line in the sand.

When we draw lines before God he doesn’t erase them, he waits for us to realize they aren’t necessary.

Lines aren’t necessary. His ways have always proved better. He has a track record of one-upping me on the “this is better” scale. So I’ll trust his word of “rest” for me, and with it, I’m sure a clearer picture will come to light of what it means on HIS terms. It might take until my next birthday to fully understand his definition, but I do know rest, right now, looks like another word …

Abiding.

Abiding means to stop temporarily and wait for.

And that’s what I’m going to do. As a matter of fact, Renae is going to join me. We’re going to pause The Hope Filled Road and return in January.

We want all of you to join us, too. Let’s find pockets of time this holiday season where abiding in Christ is our only goal. Let’s stop temporarily and wait for God to refresh, renew, refine, reveal and reconstruct our souls.

Renae and I are beyond thankful for each one of you. Your love, support, encouragement, and loyalty to The Hope Filled Road blesses us every day.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. See you next year with even more things HOPE FILLED.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

10 Replies

  1. Mish

    I have just found your blog. I hadn’t heard about this choosing a word for the year until very recently and then I realised that our Lord had already spoken one into my heart for next year “come away”. I kept getting this sense that He was calling me ” come away with Me”. It feels like a lot of people I know are having the same feeling of our Lord calling us to rest or be separate unto Him. I will be following you from now on and I am looking forward to reading your blog. Many blessing for this coming year

    1. Raye Wortel

      Thank you so much, Mish! What wonderful words to receive from the Lord. Many blessings to you too!

  2. Herlinda

    Happy Belated Birthday Raye….and thank you for your commitment to your Posts. I have learned so much and enjoy all your Words of Wisdom…this is like Music to my Soul. Yes…Rest, I like that…have a Beautiful Christmas Season and A Blessed New Year…

    1. Raye Wortel

      Thank you, Herlinda, you are so kind! Music to my soul is a beautiful thought. We’re glad you are enjoying our ministry. God bless!

  3. Diane

    Listen to His wisdom. .. Rest is a gift to clear all the distractions. I too have been called there. . Join me!

    1. Raye Wortel

      Glad to Diane!

  4. Jackie Wortel

    Glad your message was rest, we need to, especially when we feel pulled in so may directions at times. A short while ago, when I felt overwhelmed by well..everything, I asked the Lord for a word. I got two. From a homily at my parish, when you feel like you can’t give anymore of yourself, your patience, your talents, your time…..do more. So while I will do more, I will also remember to temper that with rest. Thank you and the Hope Filled Road for sharing His love the whole year through ! Bless you!

    1. Raye Wortel

      You’re right Jackie, sometimes we are called to do more. May you keep his clear vision and prompting for rest in mind as you do his will.

  5. Cheryl Downing

    Thankful for The Hope Filled Road & for this post! It’s such a great reminder AND I love it that you are putting it into practice & ‘resting/abiding’ in Him by taking time off till January. God Bless!!!

    1. Raye Wortel

      Thank you, Cheryl, for the love. We’ll see you soon.

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