I get excited when a theme word works well for an acronym that adds meaning to the word. It helps me apply the word and live it out. Making journal pages helps cement the ideas and actions in my life. This post includes the images and definitions of the words in the acronym for R-E-S-T in the journal pages.

REST

The definition of REST is "the refreshing, quiet or repose of sleep; refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor; relief' freedom especially from anything that wearies, troubles or disturbs; solitude, tranquility, mental or spiritual calm, cessation of motion, free from worry, to be found, to belong.

R - Release

Release is the word chosen for "R" in Rest. Release means to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; To let go, to allow to be known, to free from debt, to give up, relinquish, liberate, surrender a right, to remove constriction, deliverance.Before I could enter fully into a period of rest, I realized I needed to release some things I didn't even realize I was hanging onto. It's amazing how when we pray and ask God to reveal things, He does. I needed to let go of some things from my childhood and reconcile with someone so we could have a new beginning and I could be free.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="45220" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]The past month a song presented itself to me as I was searching online. It has become my theme song and personal favorite during this time of preparing to enter a period of rest. It is Alison Krauss' song "A Living Prayer"[/vc_column_text][vc_video link="https://youtu.be/HKpy15xBW4w" align="center"][vc_column_text]

E - Enter

Enter is the word chosen for "E" in REST. Enter means to come in or go in, to be admitted into, to make a beginning, to share in, to have an intuitive understanding, to make a record of, to take possession; engage or become involved in, investigate, to consider, to participate in.September is the month of my entrance into a period of Rest. I'm already amazed at the "divine appointments" that have come to my door and across my path. Even now, as I take time to intentionally rest, listen, read, pray, ideas are coming... Ideas that don't feel burdensome, but different than what I would've come up with when planning from a mindset of "work."[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="45221" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]

S-Sabbatical

Sabbatical is the word chosen for "S" in REST. Sabbatical means to bring in a period of rest; an extended period of leave from one's customary work for rest, to acquire new skills, study, or travel. It is related to the Jewish observance of the Sabbath day of rest.  A Sabbath can refer to any special day of prayer or rest, religious observance, or prolonged haitus.This study has prompted me to get more acquainted with the Jewish fall holidays as I consider what it means to rest in the Lord.

"Be still and rest in the Lord,wait for Him and patiently
lean yourself upon Him."

Psalm 37:7a AMDC

T-Time

Time is the word chosen for "T" in REST. Time is an appointed fixed period for something to happen; a measured or measurable period during which activity, action, process or condition occurs, exists, or continues. It is a prescribed or allotted period of one's life with reference to personal experience. Time is also a historic period, a season, a tempo, a period which something is available.I wrote more about time and rest in the last post.

"In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence.
Oh that we might know the LORD!Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of the dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring."

Hosea 6:2-3