Jesus said,] “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Matthew 11:28-29 (The Message)
As we approach the holiday we have termed, “Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2024 I want to wish each one of us a very happy and restful day as we celebrate one another for our contribution to our “nations prosperity” through our labors.
“Labor Day…a public holiday or day of festivities held in honor of working people, in the US and Canada on the first Monday in September, in many other countries on May 1.”
“Observed each year on the first Monday of September, Labor Day is at heart a celebration of the hard-won achievements of America’s labor movement and a recognition of what workers have contributed to the nation’s prosperity.”
I was so touched by the words of Jesus inviting us into a rest…”Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
My son Chris made our little frog for Debi’s (a Lily contributor) Birthday with his 3-D printer. It really made me smile. The colors, the expression, the sheer delight of its form. I paused to think of the goodness of the words of Jesus inviting me to walk and work with Him and I would develop for my continued work an unforced rhythm of grace.
What makes you smile and enter into a rest while learning the “unforced rhythms of grace?
thedailylily.com 
Thank you for sharing your photo and caption; your thoughts and scriptures; and the reminder and info regarding Labor Day, Sara. It is so refreshing to read, look at and think on!
Sara, you asked, “What makes you smile and enter into a rest while learning the “unforced rhythms of grace?”
One thing that makes me smile and enter into a rest while learning are observing things in nature, especially partnering with plants in their growth process, like planting a seed or small plant and watching it change and develop with some nurturing help. They have a God given “unforced rhythms of grace” I think as they cycle through their growth stages. It reminds me of this scripture from Genesis 8:22: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
I like your plant/seed story, Debi. Plants do seem to have a language and rhythm all their own. My sister, Barbara, had a love for writing short stories about her family and friends and how each one related to a different plant/bloom/fragrance. Each time I would see the person she had connected to a plant my thoughts were always lifted to a new dimension of how God must have created them so special.
A rhythm of their many talents and gifts! Yes, just like the flower she assigned from her pen put to paper in short story and potery being her rhythm.
I had to smile again this am reading a FB story by Vickie Woolard, Methodist Ministry of NC. She had a lil photo of a frog on her window.
“There is a little frog on my window. He isn’t too big, maybe just a summer old.
He’s an optimist, this little guy. I see him inching closer and closer to the big beetles who land on the window, attracted by our lights. They’re as big as he is, almost, and even though he thinks he can eat them, I doubt.
He comes out every evening, or at least, I think it’s him.
Could be him, anyway.
And I watch him.
He fascinates me.
I admire his little toe pads, the part of him that helps him stick to the glass and climb the window without falling, without slipping ten feet down to the grass below him.
He is fearfully and wonderfully made.
And it awes me that he and I were created by one and the same Creator God.
This little guy is doing his very best to be an amazing frog.
And I guess I’m doing my very best to be a decent human.
The psalmist David reminds us, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very “well” (Psalm 139.14).
This evening may we remember who we are.
Blessings, Vickie”
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Hquw1oVP13QurMT3/?mibextid=WC7FNe
I loved reading what Vickie wrote and her observations and how she brings our attention to God the Creator and His creatures! So timely to go hand in hand with your blog, Sara. Thank you for sharing it.
That is one beautiful frog in the picture above! The frog looks like it is about to leap with joy! It seems to have a smile on its face, and the colors are stunning!😊. “what makes you smile and enter into a rest while learning the ‘unforced rhythms of grace?”
I’m not sure how to answer this whole question, but knowing that God has offered His Son, forgiveness, rest, peace, grace, mercy, love, Word and the list could go on and on….. should “bring a smile, rest, while learning the unforced rhythms of grace?”
Hey Tammy, your rhythms of grace made me smile and rejoice in joy because of God giving His son that provided for all that desires to learn the rhythm. Aren’t they beautiful words Jesus invites us to class with Him to learn, “unforced rhythms of grace.”
Yes, Sara, those are beautiful words that Jesus has invited us to class! 📚✏️📝🙏This makes me think of all the little children, teens and young adults I have seen in recent pictures. The beautiful smiles and looks of excitement, on their faces as they begin a new school year. I pray I can be a student like the ones I have seen in recent pictures….. excitement on my countenance as I try to learn with Him🙏🙏🙏
You are spot on Tammy! You can and you are full of God’s Grace as we return to our clssses after our summer R&R! I am, too! I have my new pens, journals and book bag ready for study.
So many wonderful things and people and places to learn and practice our “unforced rhythms of grace.”
I have found these verses, (from our blog…Matthew 11: 28-30) to be my interest of study for my new school year. I love reading these verses from various Bibles as the wording gives the same truth but various ways to remember and call my attention to learn, approach and challenge in different settings and with various friends in multi settings.
I always find we have burdens related to nation, community, family and children in school that often weight us down where prayers seem to enjoin the burdens. Yet, read the rhythms of grace from another version. Here is another to assist us with our classes. (Below)
I sure feel I need these verses in my clsss study as my preK darling grand enters her classroom of new teachers, new classroom and new things to learn. I have to confess my heavy burden comes from my mind going off into what if, if, if?
Where had my faith, trust, love and hope wondered off to? I sure haven’t come to Jesus and accepted His new yoke for her school year! Maybe I didn’t quite know how to recognize or accepted the yoke if Jesus. When I read…” unforced rhythms of grace” I jumped in joy! I was off key. Practice a little with other faith believers and share our stories we are all singing in
tune again as we pray for one another in unison. We as believers all want the same for our families. We unite to seek God’s way? Walk with Him and find our team colors and wear our yoke with team spirit. Awesome! I’m starting to love our new classroom!
“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 CEV
https://bible.com/bible/392/mat.11.28-30.CEV
Was there a game we played as kids, “Leap Frog”? I forgot how to play?
yes, I believe so Sara? I think I’m remembering how leap frog was played?? I think one would be on their knees, leaning forward, on the floor or ground, while the next one would leap over the back of the one on the floor or ground? I just don’t remember if there was a way to win the game or if it was just for fun?😊
I hope you have enjoyed the verses (Matthew 11:28,29 Message)from our blog this week as much as I have.
Now look at vs 30…How would you like to live each day “freely and lightly?”
[Jesus said,] “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
—Matthew 11:30 (The Message)
“I hope you have enjoyed the verses (Matthew 11:28,29 Message)from our blog this week as much as I have.”
In a world burdened with opinion, fault-finding, empty promises and seeming no moral compass, I definitely can say, Yes!, I have enjoyed these verses and especially, “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
These words are true hope and solid reality and a breath of fresh air, providing a compass to live by. Thank you for posting them!
I think many, if not all, remember playing “leap frog”. I finally had to google to see if their were winners etc. A lot on the old standard and many other games of Leap frog. But, the way many remember.
”This classic game is not only great for agility and fitness; it also encourages teamwork and trust. Children have to be aware of their place in the game, and it’s all about getting the timing right, knowing when to leap, and trusting the person they’re leaping over. It’s a fun, easy game to play in the garden, in the playground, or even indoors if you have space. TALES OF TRADITION OF THE LEAPFROG GAME
Classic games of this sort have been played in the UK since at least the late sixteenth century, but the Leapfrog game is now well known all over the world by different names, in France it is known as “saute-mouton”, or literally “leapsheep” and in India it is known as “Aar Ghodi Ki Par Ghodi” or literally “horseleap”. It’s a simple game, requiring only a group of kids and plenty of energy.”
I had to smile when we get in the game and play we are all winners.