Todays lectionary reading-Matthew 11: 28-30
“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. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Jesus
Are you tired? Do you need a loyal friends presence?
Sunday night, we entered retreat at the Transforming Center exhausted. Scott slept so hard and so much that I started calling him Rip Van Winkle 🛌. (Van Winkle slept for 20 years and Scott only slept through alarms and a few sessions 😂)
The worship leader, Aaron Niequest, led us in night prayers with a haunting song (from the words of Jesus above) called Rhythms of Grace. Those words sang us to sleep. The next day we woke up to conversations with friends who asked us faithful questions that supported our desire for God and loyalty to rest our souls. We’re amazed by what God did for us in just a few days.
Who are the people in your life that help you rest from your labors and keep you in touch with your relationship with God? These are the kind of loyal friends that enable you to recover your life.
Find time to rest in this season. Call a soul friend who doesn’t lay anything ill fitting on you and shares unforced rhythms of grace.
Practice Loyal Presence
- Let others in
- Practice detachment
- Let go and let God
- Learn how much force is necessary
- Appreciate and learn from others’ truths
- Practice empathy and compassion
- Nightly Examen
from ©Motions of the Soul Clare Loughrige, 2012
May your soul find rest,
Clare and Scott
PS Aarons entire night liturgy may serve you well.
PPS Meet our BFF, sister, loyal friend and Enneagram Style 8 on the 2020 Blog/Vlog
