March 8, 2016 SHARE: Reading time: two minutes. I took the day off yesterday to install a side garage door on my son’s house. I got home last night with a blister, a nasty splinter, sawdust and concrete dust in my nose and eyes, a sore back, a sore neck, really sore feet, I was tired, I was hungry and I smelled bad. After a good night’s sleep of eight solid hours (plus a shower and my morning stretch when this blog is done!) I’m ready to go for another day of ministry. (Two minute pause from writing right here: I dug the rest of that splinter out!) I believe in the healing power of Jesus. We were designed for rest and renewal. The daily cycle of work hard/rest easy, is God’s way of saying, “You’re not so tough.” There’s something sacred and holy about falling in a heap into bed at night, tired and worn from the burdens of the day, and casting ourselves into the caring arms of our Father who says, “I’m on duty now for a while. Shut your eyes. You have no responsibilities. “Don’t worry about breathing” my Father tells me. “You don’t have to do a thing. I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry about thinking. I’m shutting you down for the night. Don’t worry about eating. You’ve already had plenty today. Give your stomach a rest. Don’t do anything for the rest of the night. Just pray and then rest.” So I drift off, snuggled in the arms of my Father, whispering, “…for into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things.” And while I sleep, He is doing His healing work. Do you know the last verse of “Now I Lay Me?” It says, “If I should wake before I die, I pray the Lord to show me why!” So in the morning, (so far I’ve awakened pretty regularly), I pray, “… keep me this day… that all my doings in life may please You.” Through the watches of the night, He’s refreshed me, then stirred my eyes, my heart, my hands and feet and sent me off to another day. I do my share. I pulled the splinter. I try to eat healthy. I exercise regularly; walking, lifting, stretching, but it is the Lord who grants the healing. One day I won’t awaken. That’s His business. In the meantime, I’m trying to be response-able. Mostly, I’m amazed at the way He heals me and sends me, refreshed and renewed, into another day of service. Thanks for reading. Do you serve on a professional church worker conference planning committee? Our staff has vast experience leading groups of all sizes from every church work background through innovative wellness programs custom designed to meet your needs. Contact Program Director Darrell Zimmerman today to begin exploring the possibilities or visit our website to see some of our ideas for your conference!