‘Tis the season for more. More shopping, more socializing, more family drama, more late nights, more food, more alcohol, more anxiety and more EXHAUSTION. Even when our intentions are for more happy, more joy, more giving, more fun, and more celebration our tank can start running on empty pretty quickly leaving us wiped out, more prone to overwhelm, illness, and feelings of depletion. How can we mindfully manage our mental, physical and spiritual health and happiness over the next month and flip the calendar to the new year not feeling like we are barely functioning while clutching a Venti latte just to keep our eyes open?
Find your pockets of Peace.
The other morning, as I was sitting quietly in my cozy chair with a hot cup of tea in hand, I closed my eyes and asked God to bring calm to my racing mind. A mind that was running at full speed scanning the long to-do list and in turn revving up my heartbeat and churning my stomach. In for 4, hold for 4 and out for 7 I breathed until I felt my body let go and relax. God gave me just the verse I needed as he invited right into His arms, wrapping me in a pocket of peace.
Jesus said,“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus did not say He would take away the to-do list or cook the Christmas meal for you. He did not promise to wrap the gifts or address the Christmas cards. What He did offer to us is rest on a soul level. A level of rest that invites us to let go, to surrender, to allow Him to carry for us the weariness, the burdens and all our worries, fears and what’if’s. He invites us to RELAX and let go, BELIEVE in His promises and TRUST in who He is and His unconditional Love and provision. Feeling yourself breathe a little more just reading that?
I invite you to pause and go back up to Matthew 11:28-30 and re-read that. Then close your eyes and BREATHE it in. Practice the 4-4-7 breathing as you move the tightness from your body and your mind out and lean into the sweet lightness of being yoked to the One who desires to carry it all for you. It is very much part of the true gift of Christmas.
Find your pockets of Peace.
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