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Aimee Smith - Rest in the Trench

Helping homeschool moms cultivate victorious rest

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Just Stay Calm

1 Feb

I did not plan to write today, but there is a message I desperately need to hear. I’m writing for myself, but perhaps you need the same message. It is quite simple, but oh so difficult.

Just. Stay. Calm.

Easier said than done, right? I have often thought that this is the key to effective parenting. But I am still working on learning how to do it.

This is the message I heard from God’s Word this morning. This is the message my husband reminded me of in a note. This is the message I am struggling to hold onto as I walk through the day.

  • Spilled milk, spilled juice, spilled paint, spilled soap? Just stay calm.
  • Pain, fatigue, brain fog? Just stay calm.
  • Complaints over chores, over school, over siblings? Just stay calm.
  • Things to do, places to go, needs to meet? Just stay calm.
  • Noisy children, noisy pets, noisy traffic, noisy mind? Just stay calm.
  • Food to cook, dishes to clean, laundry to fold? Just stay calm.
  • Stress, anxiety, overwhelm? Just stay calm.
  • Blocked by the Red Sea, Pharaoh’s army chasing you? Just stay calm.

Yes, that is the advice Moses gave the Israelites as they were being pursued by all the chariots and officers from Egypt. If there was ever a reason to panic, that was it. You might expect Moses’ instructions to be either 1) Fight or 2) Run! But neither of those are what he said.

“But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today…The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.‘”

Exodus 14:13-14 (NLT)

While I don’t have an army of chariots pursuing me, I am being pursued. Thoughts and emotions threaten to overtake me. I feel them right behind me. I have an enemy, and he wants to defeat me today.

My job?

Just stay calm. Don’t be afraid. Stand still. Watch God rescue.

But how is it possible to stay calm?

Please remember, I speak from the midst of my trench. I am learning right alongside you. But here are a few practical tips I want to remember today:

  1. Open your mouth cautiously. I don’t think this really needs an explanation. If you struggle like me, you understand.
  2. Stop frequently to sit down. Even for just a moment. My body needs to remind my heart to be calm.
  3. Grab a verse to repeat. Today, I have Moses’ words from Exodus 14 stuck on my fridge. Now, I just need to read them. Frequently.
  4. Look into my children’s eyes. Remind myself that they are people who I love. There’s just something about eye contact that helps us connect.
  5. Overlook some of my to-do list. It is time to consider my priorities and let the rest slide. It really will be ok.
  6. Turn up the music. Some moments today will require that I turn up the worship to remind my heart of the Truth I know.
  7. Turn down the music. This is the sort of day that, in other moments, we need the calming effect of some quiet, classical music.
  8. Just do the next thing. If I think too far ahead, I might panic. So I will constantly whisper the prayer: “Lord, what do I do next?” Then I’ll trust the quiet answer.
  9. Get outside. I tend to send my kids outside when they’re too energetic. But being outside helps me too when my thoughts are emotions are too energetic.
  10. Pray without ceasing. Pray, then pray some more. Just a running conversation with Jesus throughout the day. My feelings are my cue to get close to Jesus today. I will walk in dependence on Him. And I will pray with my children so they have an example of clinging to Jesus in the midst of the storm.

Those are my reminders on a day when I need to stay calm. I probably won’t do all ten. Just a few will be helpful in reminding myself of what I know I need to do: Just stay calm.

What will you do today to help yourself stay calm?

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aimeesmith.restinthetrench

Homeschooling... Seeking rest in chaos... Persevering through chronic illness... Tenaciously worshiping in trials... Clinging to Jesus through it all.

aimeesmith.restinthetrench
After a decade of homeschooling, I wonder if I'll After a decade of homeschooling, I wonder if I'll ever be consistent. Our homeschool story consists of one disruption after another life interruption. I often wonder, "if only I could be consistent..."
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I have discovered something far better. God is constant. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. You see, my consistency places the weight of success or failure on my shoulders, but God hasn't asked me to produce a successful homeschool. He has called me to praise and trust Him.
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"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!" (Psalm 57:7)
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God's constancy overshadows my consistency, or lack thereof. So I will sing His praise, and my heart will be steadfast. That's what my family really needs anyway: Mom's steadfast heart.
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#restfulhomeschool #restinthetrench #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschoolstruggles
We may not know what's ahead. . We may not know wh We may not know what's ahead.
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We may not know which direction to turn.
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But we know the One who walks with us all along the way.
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(If you aren't confident you're walking with Jesus, if you're unable to find peace, please reach out. I would love to talk with you.)
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschooldevotions
What if being still is a prerequisite for knowing What if being still is a prerequisite for knowing God?
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For really knowing Him. For truly believing He WILL be exalted in all the earth. For being able to relax and rest knowing all will be ok.
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"(God) says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" Psalm 46:10
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What if the AND is really a SO?
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Be still SO you *can* know. Be still in order to KNOW. .
He is God.
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Maybe this is part of why God instructs us to rest.
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschooldevotions #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolencouragement #homeschoolstruggles
I might have a problem. What are you reading? . #r I might have a problem. What are you reading?
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolbooks
Wait. . Is this the story of our entire lives righ Wait.
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Is this the story of our entire lives right now? Why do we have such desire for something beyond the current moment? What are we waiting for?
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My mind, as yours I expect,  is filled with many unanswered questions and much uncertainty. And so we wait.
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As we wait, let's keep our focus.
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Psalm 53:9 - "I will wait on Your Name for it is good."
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Wait on Jesus. He is good.
"Restore to me the JOY of your salvation." Psalm 5 "Restore to me the JOY of your salvation." Psalm 51:12a
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Every morning. I need His restoration.
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Every morning. He gives us His Word. He offers renewal. He restores our joy.
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What did you read in God's Word today?
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#restinthetrench #restfulhomeschool #homeschoolprayers
No gatherings for worship or fellowship today. Clo No gatherings for worship or fellowship today. Clouds instead of a glorious sunrise. A threat of major storms here in the southeast. Jesus, why couldn't we at least have a beautiful day? What are You trying to accomplish?
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A few minutes in Luke 24 reveals the first Easter wasn't all glorious either. People were filled with confusion, fear, and doubt.
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Women arrived at the tomb early to serve Jesus. Peter ran to the tomb only to return with confused answers. Men walking to Emmaus encountered a puzzling stranger.
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Until they each had a personal encounter with Jesus Himself. He explained the Scriptures, opened their eyes, and gave understanding to their minds.
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Jesus gave them peace, promise, and an expectation of power. .
Their world continued in unrest, but they were changed.
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How will Jesus' peace, promise, and power change us today?
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