When our kids were little, Sunday was stressful. Since we homeschooled our three kids, it was the only day of the week when we had to be somewhere on time. And my husband hated being late.

I remember once when Tom was ready, but the rest of us weren’t. Instead of helping me get the kids and their things together, he sat in the car, engine running, waiting for us to load. Yeah, he did that—once. Not only was it insensitive, it sent a message to our kids that it was my job to get everyone ready and out the door on time.

Tom has repented many times to me about this, which is why I love him. He is a kind man and empathetic, which makes him quick to repent and seek God’s grace to change.

The Bible says, “It is the grace of God that teaches us to say no to ungodliness.”

This goes both ways in marriage.

I must seek the log in my own eye before pointing out someone’s speck. And if I can’t remember a time when God revealed a log in me, then I’m the one deceived. For all of us have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.

Back to reclaiming rest.

It’s the humble heart that can rest because God’s love covers a multitude of sins. There is nothing I must do but respond to His conviction and repent.

This is where lasting change begins.

If one says, “it’s not me, it’s the wife or husband you gave me,” then I am repeating the very first sin from the Garden of Eden.

”And the Lord said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ (emphasis mine)

No one can make me sin. And if someone blames me for their sin, their fingers are pointing in the wrong direction. We are each responsible for the condition of our own heart.

Rest, true rest, comes from knowing Jesus and the forgiveness that His death and resurrection secured for us—freedom from sin. This is personal and something I’m clinging to today.

I pray your Sunday is filled with worship, Bible teaching, fellowship with like-minded believers and most of all rest.

Also—I’m praying we arrive on time. 🥰