Dear Ones,
Happy weekend! Hope you are not buried in snow! We are thankful we did not get what was predicted yesterday and had a normal day. This morning Al and I will be going to Costco for the Birthday cake and then preparing for the monthly party this afternoon. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   Do we feel good about ourself on days when we accomplished a lot but less about ourself when we didn’t get much done? Maybe we had a long list of things we felt needed attention but we didn’t make much of a dent in it because of the many interruptions. At the end of the day, we may go to bed feeling poorly about ourselves, but judging ourselves on that basis is not wise.
   I read a devotional by Sarah Young and she makes a point of how we shouldn’t push ourselves so hard that we feel good about ourselves only when we have been productive.Yes, it is good to work and to use the gifts that the Lord has given us but our identity is not based on that premise but rather that we are His child. Even if we are severely handicapped and couldn’t accomplish anything, we can still feel cherished and loved and valued.
  There are times the Lord would say to us that we need to slow down and just relax and rest. After all, He is the one that rested on the 7th day after finishing the work of creation. We also need to keep the Sabbath and take time to rest. Sometimes that is the most spiritual thing we can do after a hard day or work week. As King David said in Psalm 23:2-3 (ESV), “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
   I felt His pleasure one busy day after shopping and serving at a party, being on my feet for several hours and then busy in the kitchen. I told Al that night that I am not going to study or do any more work but just watch a good movie and relax. It was just what I needed and I felt like my soul was restored as well.
   Let us not push ourselves beyond what the Lord has for us to do, for the bottom line is that we will actually be more effective when we are refreshed. And whether we accomplish a little or a lot in our day, we are His beloved child.
Challenge for today: Listen to the Holy Spirit and rest when He directs you.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy