Rest for Her Soul

Slow down and meditate on these familiar words to hear them in a fresh way. 

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from the evil one.’

God sees the diapers you change, the encouragement you speak, the patience you give, the food you prepare, the lessons you teach, the adventures you plan, the little ones you hold. 

No parenting expert can help you lead your children as well as the One who created your children. He may point you to others who have advice that will help you - but look to him first. 

The most powerful and perfect and good person in the entire universe cares so much about you, that he gently leads you as you mother your children. Read that again.

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Today's passage is Isaiah 40:10-11 (NIV).

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

Here's verse 11 in the Second 21 translation.

You're probably tired of hearing about your phone, but we MUST not let our phones master us. If you want to live into the adventures and purpose that God has for you, you can't be scrolling all day. There's so much real life to be lived, if only we would put down the screens. I'm not talking about work, but about the mindless scrolling we do. 

I'm on this journey with you, and I share some of the things that have worked for me to gain freedom from my phone. I'm not perfect, but I'm fighting for freedom, and I believe it's a battle we need to keep fighting. We can't become complacent and be slaves to our phones, as much as they are amazing tools. 

Listen for some practical steps that we'll take during this episode. 

Do this meditation WITH your kids! You know the value of being still and meditating on God's word, and you'd love for your kids to do it, but you're not sure how. This is your solution! This meditation is only 3 minutes long - perfect for your kids between 2 and 6 years old. 

Invite your child to join you for a special moment together, and trust God to meet him or her! 

Our passage today is the first part of Isaiah 66:13 (NIrV). 

As a mother comforts her child,

    I will comfort you.

You will find comfort in Jerusalem

If you're tired, anxious, stuck, and frustrated, Jesus invites you to abide in his love. He says that in doing so, his joy will be in you (that's joy from the Creator of the Universe!), and that your joy may be complete. 

That sounds refreshing on a soul level. Listen to Jesus' words about it in today's meditation.

Today's passage is John 15:1-11 (NIV). 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

You know about the power and importance of starting your day with God, but you're too exhausted to focus. I've made it easy for you! Even when you're tired because the baby kept you up last night, all you have to do is PRESS PLAY.

These 7 guided scripture meditations will take the struggle out of sticking to your morning time with God. They're designed to be listened to over and over for as many weeks as you need! I created what I wish I had years ago when I was suffering from burnout and too tired to start my day with God's Word.

What you get in your guided scripture morning meditations:

- 7 scripture meditations on the theme of rest (mp3 format)

- Each meditation is 12 - 14 minutes long

- A different scripture passage for each day of the week

- Each day is customized to guide you through your week

- A guided start for one day of rest per week (Sabbath or the Lord's Day)

- Short prayers

- A journaling prompt

- Guided gratitude with scripture

- Guided relaxation and breathing

- Reflection questions to set intentions for your day

- Time in stillness to rest and be loved by God

- A PDF guide on how to get the most out of listening

Get your week's worth of guided scripture meditations at restforhersoul.com

Code: RESTFULMORNINGS50 for 50% off until March 31! 

Do you ever feel frustrated that you don't understand why things happen in your life? We can't understand everything that happens, but we can find relief in knowing that God is running the universe - and we're not. 

We're meditating on these passages in today's episode: 

 Job 38:1-18 (NIV)

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans

    with words without knowledge?

Brace yourself like a man;

    I will question you,

    and you shall answer me.

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

    Tell me, if you understand.

Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

    Who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its footings set,

    or who laid its cornerstone—

while the morning stars sang together

    and all the angels shouted for joy?

“Who shut up the sea behind doors

    when it burst forth from the womb,

when I made the clouds its garment

    and wrapped it in thick darkness,

when I fixed limits for it

    and set its doors and bars in place,

when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;

    here is where your proud waves halt’?

“Have you ever given orders to the morning,

    or shown the dawn its place,

that it might take the earth by the edges

    and shake the wicked out of it?

The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;

    its features stand out like those of a garment.

The wicked are denied their light,

    and their upraised arm is broken.

“Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea

    or walked in the recesses of the deep?

Have the gates of death been shown to you?

    Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?

Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?

    Tell me, if you know all this.

Job 40:3-5

Then Job answered the Lord:

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?

    I put my hand over my mouth.

I spoke once, but I have no answer—

    twice, but I will say no more.”

Job 42:1-6

Then Job replied to the Lord:

“I know that you can do all things;

    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’

    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

    things too wonderful for me to know.

“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;

    I will question you,

    and you shall answer me.’

My ears had heard of you

    but now my eyes have seen you.

Therefore I despise myself

    and repent in dust and ashes.”

You're Just. So. Tired. It's the worst. The baby kept you up last night, and you NEED to have energy for all the things you have to do today. Your exhaustion may not go away, but God is our very real place of refuge for all the hard things in life - your lack of sleep included. 

This guided scripture meditation and visualization will help you remember that God is your place to hide and fall apart, and be real. You don't have to face your exhaustion alone today. 

Psalm 57:1 (NIV)

Of David. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,

    for in you I take refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

    until the disaster has passed.

Are you feeling frazzled because of all the thoughts swirling in your mind? Are your thoughts stopping you from falling asleep? This meditation guides you through giving your thoughts to God, who listens and who cares. 

Today's passage is Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV)

Listen to my words, Lord,

    consider my lament.

Hear my cry for help,

    my King and my God,

    for to you I pray.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;

    in the morning I lay my requests before you

    and wait expectantly.

The purpose of hearing the scripture in French is to take the focus off of ourselves for a minute, and say a prayer for the global body of Christ. Here's today's passage in French (Second 21): 

 Prête l’oreille à mes paroles, Éternel,

écoute mes gémissements!

Sois attentif à mes cris, mon roi et mon Dieu!

 C’est à toi que j’adresse ma prière.

Eternel, le matin tu entends ma voix,

le matin je me tourne vers toi et j’attends

You'll also hear this passage:

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)

You will keep in perfect peace

    those whose minds are steadfast,

    because they trust in you.

Trust in the Lord forever,

    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

When those anxious thoughts overwhelm you. When you get stuck in your head and freeze. God invites you to share everything with him - your anxiety, fears, anger, frustrations - all of it, and he meets you there with his truth and love. He's your loving Heavenly Father who knows how he created you to thrive. 

Listen to this guided scripture meditation and invite God to meet you in the anxiety with his warm, loving presence. 

Today's scripture is Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Search me, God, and know my heart;

As you hear this passage in French (Second 21), take this moment to remember that you are part of the global family of Christ. Turn your heart towards your brothers and sisters in Christ in another part of the world. Is there somewhere that’s on your heart today? Imagine their faces and their circumstances. We are family. They are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for them as you feel led. 

Examine-moi, ô Dieu, et connais mon cœur,