I sit across the table from my husband on a cold morning. Snow spatters the streets outside and coffee steams from my cup.

“I’ve been trying to rest,” I say, “And I don’t think it’s working.”

He looks up at me, “Maybe what your idea of rest isn’t really rest.”

I nod. I’ve been thinking about that too.

When I felt like I needed to start slowing down a few months ago, I took that literally. I spent more time on the couch. I crossed items off my to-do list.

And I felt worse.

“You’re a dreamer,” my husband goes on, “You need to be free to chase ideas, move toward the future, try new things. That’s what renews you.”

He’s a wise one, my man.

I realized what I’d been missing more than I realized…

God-sized dreams.

I’m coming to see that when God asked me to rest it was actually more about my heart.

Learning to trust instead of strive.

Learning to enjoy rather than push so hard.

Learning to focus on the moment instead of results.

I think of the verse God put on my heart when all this began…

“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” Song of Solomon 2:10-13

It’s an intimate invitation—

not to step away from life but to embrace the Giver of it.

And when we engage with Him, it’s always an adventure.

Yes?

I feel the hope seep back into my bones, the peace find its way to my soul again.

Yes, I’m made to dream.

And to love the Dreamer.

So are you.

Sabbath.

What if we think about rest differently—not as simply the absence of work but instead as the presence of a Person? The One who made us, who formed our hearts, who places dreams within us like seeds that grow into all He has for us.

I read once that the word “rest” is actually closely related to the word “celebration.”

That puts it all in a whole different light, doesn’t it?

What if God’s invitation to rest is really an invitation to joy—life to the full?

After all, Jesus did say “Come to Me, all you who are weary….” (sounds like the words from Song of Solomon above, doesn’t it?)

I look out across the snow again. It glistens in the sun. A drop falls from the roof with a splash. I close my eyes and I can almost smell the first bit of spring.

New life.

It’s coming.

Or maybe it’s been there all along.

by Holley Gerth, Heart to Heart with Holley

I’d love to hear your thoughts: What do you think “rest” really means? What truly helps you connect with God and be renewed?

p.s. We’re kicking off the Bloom (in)courage book club! We’d love for you to join us! 

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