This little piece of paper finally began to make sense today. I cut it out at a recent retreat to create a board of revelation (let's just call it that). I didn't put this on my board because at the time I did not have any more room and it didn't quite resonate at that moment. But I tucked in my notebook because I knew in my spirit I had cut it out for a reason. So now here we are, understanding is beginning to unfold. Just as the Lord is shaping our business into His business, this little title fits.
One of the things I love about our little boutique, is that it is a place where friends new and old connect. I absolutely love it when I can watch friends stay a while and take the time to chat. Often I will offer them coffee and encourage them to take a seat in our comfy chairs. I have seen people pray for others, share words from the Lord, encourage and comfort others within our walls. It is my heart's desire for our boutique to be a place of refuge and rest. A place where we pray for you, and pour out an overflow of heaven. It is the Lord's territory and the Holy Spirit moves in our space.
This is what true retail therapy is about for me. It is not about all the wonderful things we buy. Those things do not fill us with true joy, they do not restore our souls. Honestly, they often weigh us down and become a burden. It is more about connection with others, a respite from the demands of the day to day. I keep hearing the words "come and rest". There is a song of that name by Caleb Bachtel that says "come and rest and let your soul be restored". I love this. In this weary world, our souls need restoration and the Lord offers and commands us to rest.
In the hustle of the holiday season take time to rest and allow the Lord to restore your soul. Do not allow the pressures of a commercial Christmas to steal your joy and have you weary. Take time to remember what Christmas is truly about. The birth of our Savior, our living God, God with us. Rest in His presence. Sit by His manger, sit at His feet, sit at His table, bow before His throne.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30