Run Away Mama by BJ Bassett #Devotional #SundayThoughts

 

I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls. Jeremiah 31:25 MSG

 

Sometimes in our lives, we’re tired and feel unappreciated, especially during our children’s teen years.

 

One of those times when I felt tired and unappreciated, I ran away for a day. Well, it wasn’t a whole day, only a few hours.

 

After the last child had left, I scurried around, packing a lunch for myself and gathering all my treasures, books, writing stuff, a pillow, and my Bible. I loaded the car and drove to the beach. I parked at my favorite spot, overlooking the vast Pacific. I did not venture out of my car, not wanting to be vulnerable. I read, wrote, prayed, and rested, enjoying the sun warming me through the car windows.

 

I was renewed, refreshed, and ready to face my responsibilities as a mother of teenagers. I arrived home before they even knew I’d left my post.

 

Are you at a place where you need to run away? God is the restorer of tired bodies and souls.

 

Father, thank You for restoring me, body and soul. Amen.

Reprinted from The King’s Daughters

A Woman’s Devotional

By BJ Bassett

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.