Rest, Refuge, and Peace: Scripture Writing Plan April 2019

As I was visiting with a friend yesterday afternoon, we started talking vacations. Since having kids, I have felt as though vacations are more work than they are relaxing. More than once, I would have preferred to stay home so I could actually rest. Have you ever felt the same?

While we live on this earth, work will be inevitable. Work can be joyful. Work can be fulfilling. Work—joyfully done—can even help prolong our mental sharpness and life. Work is not an evil. In fact, working for the Lord is encouraged in the scriptures.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3.23-24, ESV

On the other hand, we aren’t machines. We cannot work without taking time for sleep. We need to rest the mind. We need to take a break from the world to focus on God. Our worship on Sunday morning is a rest from the cares of the world; a moment to really focus on God without the cares of this life. If you are a mom with small children, you might be laughing right now. I get it. During the years when my children were much smaller, worship was a TON of work. When my second child was a baby, I spent most of my worship time in the cry room because she wouldn’t stop fussing. Keep going anyway. As someone who survived with (at one point) three children ages 3 and under, let me can assure you: Eventually, there will come a time when worship will be refreshing again.

In addition to rest, our minds require at least a modicum of peace, particularly when the demands of life become overwhelming. God provides us with peace. He is our refuge. He promises eternal rest after this life.

You may not be able to rest in the way you would like this month, but you can find refuge in God. He will provide the peace that passes understanding if we but ask. When we cling to Him as our refuge and peace, we will shine God’s light of peace into a chaotic world. I hope this month’s scripture writing helps you focus on the rest, refuge, and peace we find in Him.

Here is a link to a PDF file of this month’s scripture writing plan: April 2019 Scripture Writing Plan

Like last month, there are two plans side-by-side on the page; one side has a “kids’ version” and the other has the regular plan. I tried a color version this month, but if you prefer black and white, please let me know. I’m still trying to figure out formatting for these scripture writing plans so I appreciate feedback!

You can also save this picture to your phone for reference or print:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6.24-26, ESV