THE JOYFUL LIFE
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • HEART
      • Faith
      • Bible Study & Theology
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
        • Motherhood (ALL)
        • Parenting Toddlers to Tweens
        • Parenting Teens
        • Parenting Adult Children
        • Raising Boys
        • Raising Girls
      • Divorce | Single Motherhood | Blended Families
      • Adoption & Foster Care
      • Infertility & Miscarriage
      • Friendship & Community
    • HOME
      • DIY Projects
      • Family & Home Management
      • Fun for Kids
      • Homemaking
      • Homeschool
      • Hospitality
      • Recipes
    • LIFE ISSUES
      • Anxiety
      • Difficult Family Dynamics
      • Emotions
      • Health
      • Identity & Purpose
      • Loss | Suffering | Grief
      • Work & Life Balance
    • REVIEWS
      • App Reviews
      • Book Reviews
      • Product Reviews
    • FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
  • Daily Devotions
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Management & Staff
      • Editorial Team
      • Blog Contributors
      • Devotion Writers
      • Photographers
    • Statement of Faith
  • Work with Us
    • Write for Us
    • Advertise
    • Employment
  • Contact
  • account
The Joyful Life News
Sign up to receive Joyful Life Community news, weekly blog post updates, shop announcements, and more.
A QUARTERLY COLLECTIBLE | Heart & Home Inspiration
THE JOYFUL LIFE
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • HEART
      • Faith
      • Bible Study & Theology
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
        • Motherhood (ALL)
        • Parenting Toddlers to Tweens
        • Parenting Teens
        • Parenting Adult Children
        • Raising Boys
        • Raising Girls
      • Divorce | Single Motherhood | Blended Families
      • Adoption & Foster Care
      • Infertility & Miscarriage
      • Friendship & Community
    • HOME
      • DIY Projects
      • Family & Home Management
      • Fun for Kids
      • Homemaking
      • Homeschool
      • Hospitality
      • Recipes
    • LIFE ISSUES
      • Anxiety
      • Difficult Family Dynamics
      • Emotions
      • Health
      • Identity & Purpose
      • Loss | Suffering | Grief
      • Work & Life Balance
    • REVIEWS
      • App Reviews
      • Book Reviews
      • Product Reviews
    • FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
  • Daily Devotions
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Management & Staff
      • Editorial Team
      • Blog Contributors
      • Devotion Writers
      • Photographers
    • Statement of Faith
  • Work with Us
    • Write for Us
    • Advertise
    • Employment
  • Contact
  • account
0

Unexpected Rest for Your Soul

  • Amanda Twilegar
  • February 10, 2023
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

“Let’s take the kids sledding this morning.”

My eyes had barely cracked open, but my mind began whirring at high speed. I was already imagining tracking down all of the kids’ snow gear, making food, and then spending the day shivering in the great outdoors.

“I think we’re both burnt out a bit,” my husband coaxed, “It will be good for all of us to get out and do something together.”

He was right, even though what he was suggesting didn’t compute. This week alone had been packed with stress, deadlines, and emotional and spiritual heaviness. What made logical sense was to plow through the day and get on top of some loose ends at home. But not long after our first cup of coffee, we were searching for gloves and making sandwiches.

Trudging up the side of the mountain was hard work. On one hip I balanced the two-year-old and dragged the sled with my other arm. But when I finally reached the top and could look around, the stillness of the forested hillside began to quiet the building anxiety in my soul.

The first few runs down the hill were bumpy, and we crashed multiple times into soft clouds of snow. But all of us were smiling and laughing. The sharpness and edge I had been feeling were wearing off. And just as each run and repeated hike back up the mountain smoothed our path, I was feeling a softening and tugging loose of some things I had been squeezing too tightly.

In Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV) Jesus calls to the tired and burnt out. He says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

That evening my husband and I tag-teamed the laundry after the kids fell asleep. In playing and laughing with our family, and now folding clothes side by side, we had stumbled upon some unexpected rest for our souls.

What are some unexpected ways that you have been met with rest for your soul?

Person Not Perception

March 31, 2023

The Appearance of Growth

March 30, 2023
« Previous Next »
0
0
0
0
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
Amanda Twilegar

Amanda Twilegar lives in the beautiful PNW with her husband, four children, and dog. When she isn't writing, you can find her drinking coffee, reading a good book, or attempting to homeschool with a moderately good attitude. You can follow her on Instagram.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

VISIT OUR SHOP
  • Issue 15 | ADVENTURE — Digital Version $14.00
  • Enough Study Guide | Digital | The Joyful Life ENOUGH | Digital Bible Study $12.00
  • Selah Moments Digital Study Guide | Joyful Life Magazine SELAH MOMENTS | Digital Bible Study
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $12.00
Follow Us on Instagram
The Joyful Life News
Sign up to receive Joyful Life Community news, weekly blog post updates, shop announcements, and exclusive offers for our subscribers.

AMAZON AFFILIATE PROGRAM DISCLAIMER | The Joyful Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Every purchase you make through our Amazon affiliate links supports our ministry at no additional cost to you.

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • WRITE FOR US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • ADVERTISE
  • Terms
  • ACCOUNT
  • Contact
© 2022 The Joyful Life Co., LLC
Site Design by Maize Agency

Input your search keywords and press Enter.