Happy Fourth of July to you and your family! I am hopeful that you are resting and enjoying the freedoms that we experience in this, imperfect but free country! Today, the fourth of July, my family is at the beach. We didn’t take a vacation last year, and so most of us have gathered at the beach for a week of rest, fun, and hopefully a memory making week.
I sent out an email before everyone arrived. It detailed the week, some assignments for cooking and meal prep, and a bit of a flex schedule. The rest of the email was just a reminder that all of us are on vacation! No pressures. Just rest and fun! It is a drama free zone! So at this writing, this wife, mother, grandmother, ministry wife, and ministry leader is praying that what I have professed, stated and claimed has been a truth!
In John 8:31-32, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” As our pledge states we are, “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Each day, we get to choose how we respond to the life we encounter. For ministry leaders and our peeps, we must learn the rhythm of rest. Our best example, Jesus took a rest. If He rested, then we ought to follow this example. As our model, He knew that he could do nothing by Himself. (and He is JESUS!) “Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) As we live in utter dependence on the Father we live in complete freedom. So rest in Him today, my sister, He is with you!
As you stop and rest, I have compiled a list below of a few options. (Just in case you’ve forgotten what it might look like to actually rest.)
Leave your computer in its place – Turn it off.
Mute or turn off your phone.
Take a break from social media (The Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter world will survive and be there when you return.)
Commit to being present with your family.
Have fun!
Read a book.
Read the Bible.
Pray and ask Your Abba to speak a fresh word.
Eat some good food.
Take a nap.
Take a long walk.
Listen to some good music.
Dance! (Yes, this Baptist pastors’ wife said, Dance! Get after it!)
Hug your kids and/or your grandkids! (HUG ALL OF THEM!)
Play some games.
Watch a fun family movie!
Explore a new place.
Do something you have never done before with people you love. (or not, it’s entirely up to you.)
Laugh a lot, and most of all, spend time with the people that matter the most.
Pictures will be posted after our time away! (well maybe one or two while we are there but not many – I’m having too much time resting and playing!)
Happy Fourth of July!!
I am praying for you!
Diane Nix is the director and founder of Contagious Joy 4 Him, a network of encouragement to ministry wives around the globe. They are offering “Free Refresh Retreats” and a safe place for ministry wives to share their hearts with other like-minded women. Thirty-five years ago, she married her husband, pastor/professor, Dr. Preston Nix. He is a professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at NOBTS. They have two biological daughters, two spiritual-grown daughters, two grands, and two son’s in-laws. Diane’s life bears the scars of addiction, abuse, loss, and dysfunction. She remembers being drawn to spiritual things. Searching for the One who could bring peace, she found her Savior, Jesus Christ! And soon after her salvation, she surrendered to ministry. She has never looked back!
