Finding True Rest
By: Gaby Mendoza
I am excited to introduce to you our inaugural guest writer!Our writer is a dear friend whom I've had the joy of knowing since I relocated to Washington. I deeply admire her kind-hearted nature and the genuine affection she displays for her family. When I read her blog post, I found myself relating strongly to her message. As someone who is a wife and mother, I understand the challenges of juggling multiple responsibilities. May this piece encourage you to place your trust and find solace in God daily.
Let me introduce myself....
My name is Claudia Gabriela Mendoza, but I go by Gaby. It is so exciting to share my thoughts with you and hopefully, along the way, encourage you on the path you are on. Let me tell you a bit about myself. I was born in El Salvador, but I was raised in the PNW- Tukwila, to be exact. I have been married for four years (WOW!) to Alex Torres. We have two wonderful little girls. Our oldest is Layla Isabella, she is three, and our youngest is Camila Galileah, she is one. We live in Olympia, WA. I never imagined myself living here, serving in our local church, and raising a family, but that is a story for another time.
Writing a blog is another thing I never thought I would be doing....I haven't written anything since I graduated high school in 2013, but here we are! God definitely works in beautiful ways and surprises you with gifts you often don't expect.
1 Peter 4:10 says, " [...] use the gifts you have received to serve one another [...]."
So if sharing my path will help you in any way, then I will write!
Something that has been pressing on my mind is how easy it is to get caught up in the routine of life.For me it’s: wake up, eat breakfast, go to the park, snack, nap, etc.
I have found it impossible to rest. Not to mention to get in some creative time or even "self-care," as we see all over social media, is unlikely at times. Rest is something so coveted, and very few have.
What is rest anyway? The literal definition is to "cease work [...] in order to relax, refresh, or recover strength."
But, between being a homeowner, a wife, a mom, and trying to start a business...what is rest? I sometimes find myself resting according to this definition. I will sit and watch TV. I try to read, I put on my clay mask, and I do my nails. And after all these relaxing things, I go to bed, wake up, and go through my whole routine again, with maybe something new like a tantrum or diaper explosion (yay). Again am tired and in need of rest.
Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being home with my girls! I am blessed to do so, but feeling totally rested is unlikely.
The true rest.In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us to walk with Him and genuinely get to know His grace. With Him, we learn to live freely and peacefully. So no matter how hectic our days are, we can experience sincere rest when we surrender to Jesus. We can openly go to Him with every weary and heavy burden.
In my case, I must remember that I am the first example that my girls have of Jesus. His rest allows me to be joyful throughout my day, and when I do sit, I can receive that genuine rest by dedicating my time to His word and presence.
Now, there are days when I will break down, lose my temper, or give in to that anxiety. Although, when I rest all my thoughts on Jesus, I experience this less and less.
Don't go at it alone.If you find yourself stuck in the exhausting, never-ending routines of life, I encourage you to stop. Stop and read His word, stop and give all those weary emotions to Him. If this is something you have never done, reach out to someone that has! Remember to always rest in Him, and I guarantee that you too can live freely and peacefully.