Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (CEB)
The past few days, I have been frantically working to meet a deadline. I’ve been up with the sun and gone to bed long after the moon has risen. This morning, I was doing some Yoga to stretch my weary muscles before getting back to my laptop. As I was laying on the floor, connecting my head, heart and pelvis, my great big Newfoundland stuck his big furry head in my face.
“Rrrr…” he started, and licked my hand. I batted him away as I pulled my legs up one at a time. In the stubbornness that marks his breed, he began again.
“Rrrr…” followed by a lick.
“Cut it out, Jo,” I said, as I closed my eyes to breathe. Suddenly, I felt his cool, wet nose on the side of my next as he breathed in my scent. Apparently, my neck always tells him everything he needs to know about me. I reached up my hand to scratch the underside of his velvety muzzle. With a big sigh of contentment, he plopped down next to me and rested his head on my arm.
As I cuddled next to my oversized and overstuffed living breathing pillow, I found myself thinking, this is a good place to be. It wasn’t a productive place. It wasn’t a useful place. It wasn’t even where I felt I needed to be. It was just a good place.
When I have a deadline to meet, I get a laser-like focus. I ignore my husband eating his cereal beside me. I ignore my children running, screaming and chasing the dogs in circles around the house. I ignore my sister calling me. I am solely focused on my work.
But sometimes, the places we feel like we need to be are not that places where it is good to be. The stress and pressure of too much work makes me irritable, emotional and leaves me exhausted and depressed. I need those green valleys God promised in Psalm 23!
So this morning, I took some time to sit in the good place God provided. It wasn’t bright and green. It wasn’t cool and refreshing. It was black and fluffy. It was good.
Today, I challenge you to find a good place. Find a place where you can spend a few minutes resting, letting God fill you up. Then, share your good place with me. I’d love to hear about it!
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
Confessions of the Pastor's Wife 
I wish you peace and contentment today. Love, Aunt Marilyn
P.S. I feel our dogs sense what we need. Abby knows when I start The Lord’s Prayer every morning. She puts her head in my lap as if to join in my devotion time. I remember what someone pointed out some time ago “dog” spelled backward reads “god”. Perhaps our dogs are to remind us that God is with us waiting for our attention.
I’ve spent the last five days renovating a laundry room at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary. I painted, and mudded and drywalled and sanded and wore myself out! I’m sore all over, but as we were driving to dinner tonight on a perfect Alberta Friday evening, clear and about 70 degrees, I was able to see the Canadian Rockies. I thought to myself, this is a good place.There’s just something about seeing those mountains and clouds that is restful. I was reminded of that scripture that says, “I look to the hills from whence comes my strength.” Sara, if I had your words, I could say it better, but your post this time hit me right between the eyes.