We all need times of rest and replenishment in order to live whole-hearted and fully-embodied lives. However, in our crazy, hectic, fast-paced society, it is really difficult to make time or space for rest. Even when we are utterly exhausted we keep pushing: one more task… one more errand… one more project… one more phone call… one more appointment… one more   fill in the blank  . Our bodies cry out to stop, to slow down, to breathe, and yet, we keep right on pushing through.  And, worse, if something goes wrong (which *news flash* it’s bound to), it’s even more difficult to rest, because we are driven to fix things, to solve problems and to make them go away. 

So how do we slow down? Especially in the face of overwhelming circumstances… in the face of an uncertain future? I invite you to watch this powerful video of the story of Kathryn and Anne Jackson. I have tracked Kathryn and Anne’s story for many years. It is a story that embodies hope, resiliency, trust, determination and courage in the midst of  an overwhelming and life-altering accident. It also is the embodiment of rest.
(Warning: you’ll need tissues for this…)

I credit much of my second book The Creator’s Healing Power to the obedience of Kathryn. Several years back I set out to read the Bible in a year and glean stories of healing, restoration and God’s goodness. Early on I found Kathryn’s blog: Bible:365 through my cousin Megan who attends church with her in Georgia. Kathryn was also reading through the Bible in a year… and blogging about it as she did!

This reading plan not only took me through a 365 Bible plan, but also through Kathryn and Anne’s story of grief, struggle, hope and healing. That year was a year of preparation for the writing of The Creator’s Healing Power—Restoring the Broken to Beautiful. As I read and studied God’s story of redemption, I was seeking his heart as to which stories and passages I was to include in this book. God was so faithful in that season to guide me, and I am so incredibly grateful to Kathryn for her obedience that year. She was an amazing guide through the scriptures, and I loved that her story was woven throughout.

Won’t you join me in this prayer for Kathryn, Anne and their family before you go?

Father God, we thank you for your hand of protection over Anne, her mother and her siblings that day of the accident so many years ago. Thank you for leading them through and for your hand that kept Anne alive in the face of death. We thank you for the healing you’ve already provided and we ask for more, Lord, MORE… not only for Anne, but for her entire family. We pray that you will reveal your nature as both Jehovah Jireh (God Who Provides) and Jehovah Rophe (God Our Physician) in the life of Anne and her family. We pray for times of rest amidst all it takes to care for Anne. As Anne grows and her needs change, we pray that you will continue to provide for the Jackson family every day, in every way! We trust you Lord in all things. Bless the Jackson’s this day and always. In Jesus Powerful Name we Pray, Amen!

Jody Thomae © 2019 All Rights Reserved

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Jody Thomae is the author of God’s Creative Gift—Unleashing the Artist in You and The Creator’s Healing Power—Restoring the Broken to Beautiful, both in-depth, interactive devotional books that are part of the Bible Studies to Nurture the Creative Spirit Within series and serve as resources for creative Christians, artists, and lovers of beauty and worship. Jody has been involved in worship arts ministry since 1997, serving as worship arts ministry pastor, worship leader and creative arts director, and is a guest lecturer on creativity, embodiment, and spirituality with Healing Care Ministries and HCM International. Her passion is for the revelation of God to be made more real through the prophetic use of the arts in church and the use of creativity in formational and healing ministry. It is her desire to portray the message of Christ’s desperate and unfailing love for His people to help sustain the hearts of the broken and weary. She is particularly interested in the reclamation of the body in the healing of trauma and works in the area of embodiment with survivors of abuse, addiction, and trauma. Her life verse is Isaiah 50:4.

Her books are available through Amazon. Signed copies are available for purchase through Square where her resources are available most affordably (and in bulk amounts for your creative ministry team or group study). Jody has also recorded a devotional CD, Song of the Beloved, which is available through Square, iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, and other music outlets.