Come Rest Awhile



Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” …
Mark 6:31 NLT


Come rest awhile from working through the night
From all men’s expectations
And your own machinations
Come rest in faith that sees beyond your sight

Come rest from sin and all regret’s demands
And from your shame, and every hidden doubt
The unanswered questions and fears that stalk about
Come find your rest in God’s Almighty hands

Come rest awhile when everything seems lost
Just as I slept when the boat was tossed
By that great storm - and the deck by waves was washed
Till at my Word the wind and sea were hushed

Come Rest Awhile
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2024
Use by permission only



Learning to Rest

Jesus teach me the lessons of resting in You
When I'm burdened with fears and care
Help me to trust grace will carry us through
While I'm quietly waiting in prayer

Help me to have a heart gentle and kind
Not just endlessly doing my best
Always striving yet somehow unable to find
Your gift of sweet stillness and rest

Like a shepherd You lead us on just as You said
Around the twists and turns of life's way
Up on the ridges down the valleys ahead
To Your arms at the end of the day!

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am 
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls
Matthew 11:29 NKJV

Learning to Rest By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2023
 all rights reserved

I’ve had to step back for a while from regular posting. I have needed time to rest, and this labored bit of verse reflects my heart. I hope it might point you to our Savior. He is teaching each of us in different ways, a daily lesson on rest, (though I often struggle with my homework!)

A Second Touch

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 1 Kings 19:7-8 NIV

“He Touched Me” was written in 1963 by Bill Gaither and became one of the best loved and most recorded Christian songs of the twentieth century. It became so popular that Elvis Presly chose it as the title song of an album for which he won the Grammy award in 1972. Though this generation of young people may have never heard the song, those who love Jesus, still long for God’s touch. But there are times in life, when a single touch, even from God is not enough. Like Elijah, we still believe God, but we have given up on ourselves. “Surely God has someone better than us for the job.” we say to ourselves. Are you so tired of how things have been going that today, you simply want to lie down and give up? The good news this morning is that even if we have given up: God has not! He has not written us off and is not looking for someone else to replace us. God sent His angel a second time for Elijah, and though He may not use an angel, God has a fresh word for you and me this morning, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” God is offering us not only a second touch, but also a new direction and new strength for our journey, which will lead us all the way to Him!