“And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.” Job 11:17-18 (ESV)

Many years ago, as a third-grade student in a small East Texas school, I was encouraged by my teacher to enter the annual University Interscholastic League (UIL) contest in the category of Ready Writing. This statewide contest was to me the MOTHER of them all.

In a Ready Writing Contest, students are given two hours to write expository compositions. They may choose between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications, or speeches.

I felt that this contest was comparable to David going up against Goliath! However, we know what happened there, so I reluctantly agreed to participate. As it turned out, I placed third overall and was extremely happy to have done so! My love for writing began at that time, but it would be many years before I would ever do it again.

As the years rolled by and I faced life’s experiences and challenges, a genuine love for writing began to envelop my heart. My deepest thoughts seemed to flow more easily through written words. I tried different genres of writing, but was always led back to the things of a spiritual nature. I began to sense that one way I could best honor God was through my written “from the heart” type of spiritual encouragement.

I’m not an educated writer, nor am I a Bible scholar, but I sure love God’s Word, and I love to write about how much He loves us! Over the past 15 years, I have written and shared spiritual thoughts via publications, blog writing, and social media. I have had to squeeze my writing moments into a very active and sometimes hectic lifestyle. Consequently, many times I have found myself desperately in need of physical, emotional, and spiritual rest.

To be totally honest, it is during stressful and hurried times that I seldom express my true feelings. There is little time or opportunity to appear weak or sad or tired or fed up (yes, I am human). I have come to believe that this is characteristic of many women. Deep down, we feel the need to ALWAYS be strong–to give all that is within us to others, leaving little quality time for ourselves. No time to recharge. No time to refocus. No time to be renewed. Some of us are able to hide our stress and anxiety. As a result of growing up in a home influenced by alcoholism, I learned at a very early age to do that well.

With more years behind me than are ahead, and perhaps a little wisdom now, I know first-hand that trying to be all things for all people while hiding stressful feelings, only deceives us into thinking that we are strong. In reality, what we REALLY need is someone who will help carry our heavy load, listen to us, and understand where we are coming from. We need comfort. We need REST!

Today, I have Good News for you! There IS Someone who will bring comfort and rest—Someone who loves us unconditionally, and who cares what we are going through more than we can imagine! His name is Jesus. One of His many specialties is carrying the load of those who seek Him when they can’t go any further. After all, He is God! There’s nothing too big for Him to handle. He relates to every aspect of what we are feeling. The good. The bad. The ugly. And He is there to love us and give rest as only He can do.

So why am I here? At this site and at this time in my life? Perhaps it is for more than just reliving the memory of a third-grade writing contest, although that was where this writing “thing” began for me. I wanted to begin my first post with that memory as the backdrop to a deeper message.

Truthfully, I am here for each of you, and myself! I pray that you will join me on this journey, as together we will find rest for our souls, and renew our spiritual, emotional, and physical strength. I am trusting the Holy Spirit to speak to each of us and to meet our needs. My prayer is that our hearts will be made just a little bit lighter for having spent a few moments here at The Resting Place.