Meet my friend, Crystal Hornback.
She’s a writer, speaker, and creative. She is wife to Derrick and mom to Chloe, Jax, and Avary. They live the wild & fun life of youth ministry in Joplin, MO.
Her passions include reading, writing, and anything hands-on & crafty. She desires to walk through restoration alongside other women and into what God has called them to become.
Today she shares with us how to rest in the arms of Jesus by trusting in Him.
~ Suzie
As I caressed dripping tendrils of hair away from her tear-stained cheeks, I yearned to sing our song… the one which had calmed her cries countless times while she rocked in my arms.
Baby mine, don’t you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
Never to part, baby of mine.
But, I refrained. I knew nothing I did or said in that moment would heal her hurt just yet, other than simply knowing I was present. Through the eyes of a heartbroken teenager, a breakup can seem like the end of the world.
Looking through the personal lens of your current situation may seem similar.
Friend, I’m there.
In John 5 the Bible speaks of a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. He’d waited near the pools of Bethesda many times, begging for someone to come along and help him get in first, in hopes of being healed.
He just knew that if he could take a dip in the bubbling water his troubles would be over.
Ever been there?
Like, if you could just get so-and-so to change or if such-and-such would happen, things would all fall into place, right?
How often has that worked out for you? Because for me, the number of times it’s worked out that way is all of NONE.
[bctt tweet=”If we wait for other people or things to change before our lives fall into place, they never will.” username=”suzanneeller”]
Jesus stood before the lame man with an offer of healing. He responded to Jesus by giving excuses as to why he had yet to be healed.
I often wonder if there were any snarky facial expressions, similar to those our teens give us when we ask them pretty much anything, “Ummmm, duh crazy person, but so-and-so hasn’t done such-and-such.”
What the man didn’t realize, however, is that Jesus wasn’t just offering to heal his physical ailments; this was so much more. A wise friend once described it as Holy Surgery.
I imagine he felt that overwhelming power when Jesus said, “Pick up your mat and go.”
There was probably a “Holy crap what just happened?” moment, and he knew something bigger than him had just taken place.
Too often we understand that God wants to walk us into healing in our bodies, minds, finances, circumstances, and so much more, but we doubt with snarled faces when He asks if we want help.
Or is it just me? As it turns out, I’m not the greatest at allowing others to handle tasks for me. *GASP*
My strong will tells me that I can (and should) do it myself, which often gets me into trouble. I cannot imagine how often God rolls his eyes at me and wants to scream, “GEEZ WOMAN, JUST LET ME HANDLE THIS!”
Sometimes, God has to gently knock me right over before I’ll simply surrender to Him.
He does not expect any of us to do it all, have it all, or be it all.
[bctt tweet=”God does not expect any of us to do all, have all, or be all, but rather trust in Him. #rest ” username=”suzanneeller”]
Maybe He longs to sing a sweet lullaby as he rocks me in his arms, healing my hurts.
Baby mine, don’t you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
Never to part, baby of mine.
I believe that He desires for each of us to melt into His presence and soak up every possible moment in His lap, while he wipes away our tears and reassures us that he isn’t going anywhere.
Surrender is hard; I know. We can’t see the other side of the mountain, so we keep waiting for our list of solutions to play out.
All the while, He stands before us with the answer to it all.
He’s got this. He’s got you. He is the solution.
Allow Him the honor of being your capable Savior today as you find rest by simply trusting in Him.
Crystal
Meet Crystal. You are going to love her!
Connect via her blog at https://www.crystalhornback.com/
Follow her on Twitter & Instagram: @crystalsunshyn
Today’s Giveaway items were made by her creative hands.
The distressed key necklace and reclaimed wooden plaque will serve as reminders to rest in the arms of your heavenly Father. Thank you, Crystal, for this giveaway.
To enter, just join the conversation on today’s post. Share your story. Encourage someone. Share an area in which you need to trust Him today. We love it when you join in and treasure what you have to say. ~ Suzie
I trust the Lord to make away physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially as we stand. As I worzhip, seek him and share him moment by moment.
Standing with you and believing that God will supply all of your needs, Mary! May you feel Him close to your heart today as you rest in His arms!
I so need to trust Him more. Thank you for sharing this.
It’s a daily surrender, isn’t it? What a comfort to know that His mercies are new every morning!
Crystal, beautiful truths of surrender and God’s love. We will always find peace and freedom in God’s arms. Thank you, friend for sharing a piece of your heart today. You are gifted, a go getter, and gleaner of Christ. You are a beautiful example of sacrifice. Thank you. ❤️
Thank you for your words, sweet friend!
I know I am unable to fulfill my plans but with God He will supply my every need. I am learning to trust Him more and no matter the outcome I’m not alone. He will never leave or abandoned me.
YES!
It was as if you sat right down in front of me and were speaking right to me. Surrendering can seem scary at times. This reminded me that God has comfort! Thank you, Crystal!
There is such sweet comfort in the arms of our Savior, isn’t there?! Thank you for your encouraging words! Praying as you find the strength to surrender today.
Control. Often, I want it more than I want to receive His grace. To let Him take care of it all. Ugh! In this season that’s my struggle and my goal is to be willing to let go of my stuff and hold on to Him. Thanks for sharing your heart, Crystal!
What a powerful admission, Claudia! May we remember that His grace is sufficient for us, and that is truly all that matters!
Especially today, we need to rest at the foot of the cross.
Oh, yes! I’m so incredibly grateful for the Cross and for this day. Thank you, Jesus!
Thank you so much for reminding me to rest, surrender and give the areas in my life that He wants to fix to Him. And to “geez, woman, relax!” He’s got it. There’s sweet peace in this.
Love the plaque. I used to have a rest one that I made, but I like this one much better.
Thank you, Gretchen!
This spoke volumes to me today. Rest equals peace…in the One who holds me close.
AMEN!
As I’m reading this I’m reminded of the time that my daughter was driven home from her (late) dad’s house by the police because he didn’t want her to be there at the time. He found out that she lied about something big and was angry that he had called the police to have her removed from his home. (He wasn’t exactly in the right frame of mind….ever). When she got home and came inside she laid her head on my lap and I just hurt so much for her. I knew I didn’t have the strength to handle this on my own so I just rested with her and gave the whole mess up to Jesus.
Oh, bless that sweet girl. May she come to know that Jesus is THE one to turn to when circumstances and people let us down. Praying as you raise this precious daughter and trust in Him to carry you both!
Thanks for such an encouraging reflection of how to find ourselves in Jesus only. Discerning your writing, I learn how to fully open myself genuinely to the genuine rest in Jesus. I did not realize it how I had been escapong my t”tiredness” through work, feeling and ensuring myself it is okay and trying to engross myself in “entertaining social media stuff, till starting to
lose myself in emptiness. It was so subtle that I did not know it. I starteď to awake mhen my heartburn was getting acute and did not atop. I praise Jesus….this FRIDAY HE allows me to find HIS rest. One key word I hold tightly is learning to trust HIM in every breath I take. Not always easy….but I believe I find rest. Jesus bless you all.
It’s such an easy trap to fall into, isn’t it?! Praying for you as we journey forward in trusting Him!
Sweet reminder of where our focus needs to be when things don’t go the way we think it should. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
I am still learning ( do we ever stop??!!!) about God’s timing for my life – not my own….it is a daily struggle to let it go. Sometimes I am victorious…..other times – not so much.
You are so right; it is a daily struggle! I’m so grateful that His mercies are new and beautiful every. single. morning. How about you?!
This really hit home for me….I have spent my life waiting for certain “things” to happen or circumstances to change and when I tried to bring on the change myself I ended up like Sarah in the bible…..just complicating everything! I tend to worry about the future, the past, even the present but I am trying to put everything in God’s hands and am trying not to keep trying to take them back! I have to believe he wants the best for me and my loved ones.
Standing with you as we place it all in HIS hands and simply just be. I, too, definitely have some of Sarah’s complicated traits, ha!
Beautifully said Crystal! I used to think “If I only had………I would be happy” Well, as I added possessions, that we really couldn’t afford, I didn’t find the happiness or peace I was seeking. Truth be told, happiness and true rest come only from one source….Jesus. Now I am giving away all those possessions, as I rest in Jesus, and I am resting in Him.
YESSSSSSS!!!! Amen!
Thank you for sharing about letting go of our will, especially when our thoughts that hold us back keep us from trusting in the One who sustain and teach us to physically move into a better place with Him. Sometimes as humans, we think ourselves out of what needs to be completed by us only and no one else, but once we make that conscious choice, we move forward with courage and determination to finally step outside of ourselves and allow Him to work in us – then and only then, the Best happens! Aaaaand we wonder why it took us so long to trust in Him. He loves us very much :-*
EXACTLY! We’re a funny people, aren’t we?!?! It’s good to know that it’s not just me!!!
Crystal such beautiful words from such a beautiful woman. Thank you for the reminder to rest in Him and not get caught up in what everyone else does and has. Being still is hard but so necessary for all of us.
It’s so stinking hard, isn’t it?! What a comfort it is to know that I’m not alone!
Thank you Crystal for your beautiful words! I am often caught in the I can handle it myself scenario! Learning to trust in the Lord and REST in Him!
Love you, friend, and praying that you are able to surrender that scenario to HIM right now! Honored to walk this life with you!
Thank you for being another confirming voice from God in a long series this morning. I have been struggling with completing my third step in Recovery from codependency to a chemical addict, Turning my life and my will over to the care of God. Trusting Him with EVERYTHING, including my husband, his disease, his Recovery, my Recovery the past, the present and the future. I am a long time believer, yet I have struggled so with fear that we will be shamed and abandoned because of my husband’s disease that I have lived in denial and tired to control everything for so long that I didn’t know who I was anymore. But God…has shown me that I am HIS! And that is all that truly matters. No matter what happens in my life from now on, He will be with me and I will be ok. He is and always will be my strength. He has given me peace and I know He will help me find His joy again.
Thank you again, may God bless you and your ministry.
Linda, can I just say how BRAVE you are?! Thank you for so vulnerably sharing your struggles with us in this safe place. My prayer is that you would continue to fight the lies of the enemy which tell you that you should be shamed & abandoned… honey, that is NONSENSE! Do not fall into that trap, okay? The devil is a liar and wants nothing more than to use these strongholds to destroy you and your husband. We are going to stand in believe on the Word of God that you will find freedom in Jesus name! What an absolutely beautiful soul you have, sweet friend, and an honor to have you read my words today!
I need to trust that He will bring me healing. Faith and patience in my circumstances.
Lord, I pray that you would cover Flory in your healing touch. Consume her with your perfect peace and allow her body, mind, and soul to find rest in you. In Jesus name.
Thank you for sharing Crystal. I love you and your beautiful heart. I am the want to fix things up, protector of all, and the “I can figure this out myself” girl. This has been a slow and painful lesson. I am in the practice season lol. God has been giving me opportunities to be still and rest. I start to go again and I hear Him in that still small voice saying, “I just want you to rest in Me and be still.”. It is a transforming and renewing of my mind and changing habits. Even when I try to protect my husband, my children, and myself, I always end up realizing I can’t. When people are struggling with things they share with me, I want to jump up and find a solution. I want to help them fix this problem, but I can’t. I have to bring them to the One who can. In this season of life, I am working this out as I wait on the Lord for my son to come back to Him. I am watching my baby prepare to graduate and go a way to college on his own and I know with his hearing loss the battles he will face. I am entering a season where I am waiting on God to show me what is next for me. What is my purpose and what do I do now? So many questions unanswered. I feel like I live in the waiting place. So that is where this finds me today. I am asking God to help me surrender ALL of myself, each one I love, and my plans and agendas to Him daily. Some days are easier than others.
Oh honey! I love your transparency! I’m right there with you in feeling like I LIVE in the waiting place! Recently God revealed to me that WE ALL live in the waiting place…. earth is our waiting place as we journey towards eternity with Him. It was a comforting revelation for me, and I hope it can be for you. Praying that you are able to find rest and trust in your sweet Big Daddy today! Love you, friend!
Beautiful Crystal! Oh how we all need that holy surgery…I’m so thankful He will do it!
Me too, friend! Me too! Honored to journey alongside you!
Thank you, Crystal! <3
Love you BIG, sweet friend! Honored to journey alongside you as we rest in Him!
I have a hard time “resting” in Jesus. When I feel like I’m resting, I’m actually watching TV or reading a novel. And I KNOW I should be reading The Word! Thanks, Crystal for your great devotion and for the giveaway!
I’m guilty of the same, Dori. We try to find our rest in other sources when The Source of true rest stands before us with arms open wide! I’m so grateful that His mercies are new every morning, aren’t you?
Thank you for your words, especially, “If we wait for other people or things to change before our lives fall into place, they never will.”and “Maybe He longs to sing a sweet lullaby as he rocks me in his arms, healing my hurts. Baby mine, don’t you cry. Baby mine, dry your eyes. Rest your head close to my heart, Never to part, baby of mine.” I need to rest in God’s Words and take shelter of His Holy Names.
It’s a daily surrender, isn’t it?! Praying for you as we journey alongside one another in surrendering to Him!
Thanks Crystal. I was just going to write a P.S. to my post saying, “It’s time for me to surrender,” when I read your reply 🙂 I appreciate you praying for me. I really need to be reading scripture everyday. I pray for this.
Thank you for this great post. It expressed just what I feel.
Praying you find rest in your Heavenly Father today, Pam!
What a beautiful reminder of rest and surrender
What a great post for me to read today! I have been knocked over for sure this week – and have had to completely surrender (which is super hard for me as well). Plus – this is the song I sing to both of my girls (5 and 2) every night before bed as well – so it really touched me!! Thank you!!
Aww! I love it! Praying that you find rest in trusting and surrendering to Him!
Needed this today. 366 days ago my husband left me with our kids. I can’t change that. There is a lot I don’t understand, but God is with me.
Oh, honey, I can’t imagine your position. I’m so sorry that happened. Praying that you feel Jesus close as He wraps you in his love and calms you with his sweet lullaby.
Area I need to trust him right now is in getting a job
Lord, I pray that you would offer peace and provision to Noelle. Swing wide the door that you have already set in place for her and open her eyes to see it. Wrap her in your love tonight.
He’s my “capable Savior” ~~ love that, Crystal!
Thank You!
Thank you, honey!
Starting a new bold prayer routine
Father, I pray that you would pour your Spirit down upon Janet as she steps out in boldness and this new routine. Bless her hugely as she lifts her prayers up to you in the name of your precious Son. Protect her and offer provision and wisdom as she walks this journey, in Jesus name!
Many times it feels like letting go means giving up control when it is vital for complete and total freedom. My word for 2017 is DEEPER. I’m tired of wading in the shallow water and making an effort to let go and go deeper. So proud of you, Crystal. Excited to see where God takes you.
Learning this lesson over and over and over again. Sometimes when I am so tired at the end of the day I wonder why, and then I remember…why didn’t I let God do more for me? Why didn’t I rest? Old habits die hard, I think, and after being away from Him for over 20 years I have forgotten (or maybe I never really realized) how powerful He is and how much He cares for me. Remembering to rest and wait for His guidance is not easy, but when I do it, I’m amazed at what happens. Building new habits for myself takes focus and attention to remembering all the passages in His word that remind me of how much He longs to care for me and support me. Witnessing to others helps too, and it has helped me strengthen my faith in His goodness, although the mistakes and wrong turns I have made while I was away from him and trying to run my own life have been many.
This ‘Rest’ key would be a super reminder that running around all day every day takes me away from His love, not towards it. Thank you for this wonderful reminder.
Oh, Crystal! Such a good reminder! I’ve been learning to rest more, but goodness the enemy keeps piling up the emergencies I need to handle! Sometimes it’s about so much more than the physical rest, though, right? It’s about laying the worry down. And the planning. And the this … and that … and the other. Loved this so much, Thanks for making me giggle and learn all at the same time ♥
Hugs,
Lori
I am a tired mama in need of rest. Trying to do it all but for what? I need to stop.
Yes I needed to hear these words today. I am struggling with when does accepting become giving up. And what is the difference and I am also sure the Lord rolls his eyes at me many times also thanks for these words
Need to surrender to Christ no matter circumstance.And be free.And not be afraid to be hurt and relax.
Pamela, surrendering is always the hard part but we get true freedom when we do. Easier said than done though, I get it. God is always with you in all ways. Hold on tight to His truth and love.