Love Thyself & Rest
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, with your small backpack, heavy suitcase, tablet, pillow…come, sit and breathe God’s new breath. Light a candle and sip coffee or tea from your favorite mug. You are invited to breathe God’s life-giving breath and be.
Consider the idea that our God, as an act of love and provision, intentionally commanded us to find rest.
Above all powers, above all kings, above all nature, and all created things.
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man, you were here before the world began.
- Michael W. Smith, “Above All”
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Luke 10:38-42
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Food for Thought
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us where to find rest. The Message version of Matthew 11:28 speaks to my heart; it reads, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”
Looking back at the year 2023, I can say that I had been carrying fatigue for several years. I did what I usually do to push through. I took a few days here and there to get away. I increased my appointments with my spiritual director. I did some stay-at-home couch days. And yet, the worn out sentiments and heaviness persisted. Then, mid-year in 2023, I took a longer vacation that transported me to a different time zone and a new country for me – Scotland. During the vacation in Scotland, I was intentional to be in places where no wifi connection was possible. I found myself sleeping more. I carried my travel size journal, stretching myself toward less conventional (for me) ways of seeking God in this new and unfamiliar territory – disconnected from social media and interaction, and instead hiking and journaling.
One day, I attempted to climb Arthur’s Seat, a Scottish peak near Edinburgh. My weary and tired legs let me know about halfway through that they could not go any further. I sat on the side of the hiking path, on a small boulder, watching others do the hike. God met me in my weariness and reminded me to bring him all my worn out weeks and months of fatigue. On that rock, as I watched others hike, I became aware that I was surrounded by a field of beautiful flowers. Had I kept going, I may have missed them. But here, in the stillness and in a place of rest, I soaked it all in.
It felt like it was the first time I had sat down in a very long time. That is where God met me, along with all the power of the verse from Matthew, “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” That is where I had a greater understanding of the words “burdened” and “worn out.” And seeing the beautiful field of wildflowers – thriving, living into their own beauty, resting in the fullness of God’s glory – God opened my heart to the full peaceful sentiment of rest – the rest of self, soul, and mind – resting in the one who can fully provide.
As a Black woman, mother, and grandmother called to attend to many fires, while being Mary and Martha alike, this season of rest that God invited me to dwell into and with has been a holy gift. In this season, God has opened the door for me to experience a greater self-love and a deeper connection to Divine love through unconditional rest. May you encounter God’s love through a season of rest. It is so, so good.
Take a moment to think about the last time you felt truly rested. Could you carve out any time today – even if just five minutes – to stop, breathe, and let your mind and body rest?
Take a moment to listen to “Holy Forever” by Cece Winans. May this song capture the fullness of God’s blessing for you, as it does for me.
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
God who calls us into rest,
Allow us the courage, leaving all pride aside, to lay all our burdens, fatigue, weariness, worn out bones, and tired spirits at the altar of your love. Help us give it all to you. Remind us that your new breath – the breath of life – will serve us better in our living than any breath that is exhausted, unhealthy, and tired. May we know more fully your life-giving breath and love every day.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Discuss with one another the things that stop you from noticing or acknowledging fatigue when you feel it. Is it distraction, the pure need to keep moving, or have you simply just gotten used to it?
What are some ways you could lighten the loads that you carry?
Share some ideas of what could be signs that your body and soul are growing weary – irritability, lack of motivation, overwhelm, depression?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Imagine sailing around the world. Where would you visit? What are some things you would hope to see? Draw a picture of some of those things, and share your picture with a friend or family member.
There is so much to see, but you have to stop along the way to do so. Where would you stop? How would you know when to stop?
If you were the captain of your ship, what words of encouragement would you offer your crew as they worked hard to get you from place to place? How would you offer some rest to them?
Meet our Welcoming Voice!
Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil is a Ministry Coach & Retreat Facilitator through the Center for Career Development & Ministry. She also responds to individual and corporate ministry needs within and outside the U.S. as an independent consultant at CONNECT-SD, LLC. Sandra holds advanced degrees in psychology, rehabilitation counseling, and pastoral ministry; she is an ordained minister with ABC-USA, as well as a published author and retreat leader. Sandra is passionate about missions and enjoys paddle boarding.
To hear more from Sandra throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!
Here are Five Things to Remember When Setting Your Own Welcome Table!