By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
Recently our friends came down to Florida where my husband and I have been wintering. Not only did we have a great visit, but God also provided a beautiful life lesson.
Our friend Tim owns a successful remodeling business in Kentucky called Suit and Son Remodeling. For several years there has been plenty of work to keep himself, his son, and two other employees busy… until recently that is. With a slowed economy and yet another threat of recession, jobs were no longer rolling in like they used to. As you can imagine, Tim felt a great deal of pressure to keep the flow of work growing, especially since other families were relying on the income his business provided.
Being a man of faith, Tim poured out his concerns to God daily, but no new remodeling jobs were coming in. Was God listening? Did He hear his cries for help?
“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14).
In the middle of all his worry and stress, an opportunity came about for Tim and his wife to visit us in Florida for a week. Perhaps it felt counter-intuitive to go on vacation during a time of such uncertainty, but they came anyway. I’m glad they did. God had an amazing life lesson for not only Tim, but us, too, through his example.
As soon as the plane landed in Florida, Tim’s phone began blowing up with phone messages, texts, and emails coming from potential clients. It was like God suddenly turned on the faucet, allowing future opportunities to flow freely again. When Tim got in our SUV he said, “Wow, I should go on vacation more often!”
And that was just the beginning. Throughout the week, more and more job opportunities came flooding in. Tim was blown away at God’s goodness. It was like God was saying, Tim, I know what you need. What you need is rest, and while you do that, I’ll take care of the rest.
The next morning when we were talking about the situation, I said, “Tim, God is faithful! It sounds like He wanted to remind you of the importance of rest, and at the same time, remind you that He’s got it. He is your provider.”
Think about it; if those calls, texts, and emails had come in when Tim was still at home working, trying to figure out what to do next, it might not have been as evident to Tim that God was the one who brought the increase. God showed Tim that rest leads to success.
What about you? Are you getting adequate rest? Are you heavy-laden with the pressures of life? Are you feeling weighed down by an uncertain future? Perhaps God wants you to step away, get some rest, and let Him handle it. Friends, He’s got it! We don’t need to worry. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Let go and let God. I believe God loves it when we surrender our worries and heartaches over to Him, Jehovah Jireh, our LORD and provider.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).
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