I was good at taking care of others and getting things done. But, I wasn’t good at nurturing my own heart or taking care of my well-being. So I became overwhelmed with stress, although you couldn’t tell, because I was good at working hard, pleasing others, surviving and pushing through.

But, in my honest moments, I longed to find my spark again: to experience God’s peace and joy in a fresh, intimate way.

Women are heroes when it comes to loving and caring for others. But I wonder … Why is it so hard to give ourselves permission to rest and refresh, especially when we’re stressed and need it most?

Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Notice Jesus does not say, “Come to me strong, cheerful, calm and untroubled.”

It’s the opposite. We’re invited to come to Jesus when we’re weary — whether confused, anxious, angry or stressed. Jesus tells us to come as we are. Imperfectly His.

God doesn’t want us to do more for Him. He longs to take care of us and whisper words of love and peace.

Let’s Get Practical – and a Book Giveaway!

Maybe you find yourself asking: How can I get practical about rest? How can I take better care of myself and draw close to God?

These are questions I asked myself, too. I began researching the answers and, to my delight, God helped me discover 40 ways to detox stress from my soul with uplifting Scriptures, simple soul care to spark joy, and prayers to feel God’s peace again.  I captured them in my book Whispers of Rest: 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul.

This week, I have the amazing opportunity to guest post a devotional for Proverbs 31 Ministries to share THREE ways to get practical about rest and to find your spark again – and I’m doing a BOOK GIVEAWAY, to give away copies of Whispers of Rest!

Click here to go to Proverbs 31 to read my devotional “Detox from Stress? Say Yes to Rest!” and enter there to win a copy!

It’s Official: Whispers of Rest is #1 Amazon Best Seller!!

?Oh my heart! Whispers of Rest hit #1 Amazon Best Seller this week! Ranking Top #300 of all books!! THANK YOU for your love & support! You gave wings to this book of God’s whispers of love! We did it! ??Get a copy for a friend or yourself! http://bit.ly/WhispersofRestbook

Every woman deserves all the love, beauty and rest that God intended for each of us — not just the picture-perfect but because we are perfectly-beloved!

I love reading the reviews that you’ve have posted and readers around the world, seeing God powerfully real, alive in your hearts! Let’s keep spreading this message of God’s love and rest! Wahoo!!

I hope to post an Easter greeting tomorrow on the blog, but if the day gets away from me (remember living your real life with your friends and family and taking time to nourish you, to unplug and rest and refresh is most important), may I lovingly and with sisterly affection, say from my heart: Happy Easter – for the Lord is risen!! He is risen indeed – in YOU!!