Finding Rest in the Mess

Wisdom Learned through the Messiness of Life

The story behind the name

“Finding Rest in the Mess”

Relationships are messy

Jobs are messy

Marriage is messy

Raising children is messy

Faith is messy

From the Desk of Vicky…

Finding Rest in the Mess means… Experiencing contentment in Who the LORD is, assured of His presence, power, and goodness even in the hardest circumstances.

Examples of his rest being found

OLD TESTAMENT: The young girl in 2 Kings 5:1-19 having compassion regardless of circumstances.

NEW TESTAMENT: Two men in Acts 16:16-34 singing though they’d been beaten and put in prison; having compassion on the jailer and seeing him brought to faith in Jesus.

MODERN DAY: A woman walking into Walking-Mart when covied first broke (having been told to stock up and hunker down), seeing the mayhem, saying, “People, God is still on His throne!”

In each of these circumstances, God used those resting in Him to bring others to faith in the Most High God. The young girl’s master believed. The jailor (of the two prisoners) and his whole household believed. And the woman leaving Wal-Mart was followed by a young woman who asked what she meant and after hearing about Jesus, believed.

Wisdom learned through the mess….

Relationships are Messy

I make life harder when I think I can control what I can’t, assume I know what’s best for others and when missing crucial information assuming my perspective is correct.
Being human is messy and only God can produce and sustain positive character changes.

“I’ve found battle buddies are required to not only survive but thrive through the messiness of relationships. Here’s one of my fiercest prayer warriors. She also has the courage to call me out when needed. It stings but I know the love behind her needed words.”

Jobs are Messy

I find His rest when living as His steward not a consumer of all that’s been given (including all my relationships).
The more I learn (and remember) what I can’t control, the less mental and emotional energy I waste.

Marriages are Messy

I can’t protect others in abusive marriages but can be there for them when they’re ready to flee an abusive relationship. Being faithful in marriage doesn’t mean putting up with abuse.

“Here I am – clueless to what makes a marriage healthy and unaware of buried resentments that would come out sideways for decades before God would lead me to address them. Through the messiness of marriage, God continues to teach me more about myself, my husband and the LORD’s faithfulness.”

Raising Children is Messy

Focusing on “doing the right thing” feeds frustration and a pharisaical/following rules kind of mindset (assuming behaivor makes me better than others).
His rest is lost every time I try to rest in or create desired circumstances.

By all accounts, my daughter Hannah and I shouldn’t be reconciled. But God used years apart to work on us individually and teach us how to have a relationship built on honesty, transparency, own our own wrongs and forgive as we’ve been forgiven. This photo is us on our annual mother/daughter trip to Colorado where we can’t get enough of Jesus and hiking.

Ministry, Church, and Non-Profits are Messy

Growing to be more like Jesus is growing to be dependent on the Father.
Often when I judge another of doing, I am also doing.

Messy Narrow Road

40 short devotionals and paired original poems to encourage the weary. Find true freedom, grace, and mercy in a life dependent on the One who loves us most and can walk through the messiness of relationships and life.

Learn how to…

- Stay in our lane
- Wait well
- Redefine success

Being the Boss

We can all remember being a child and wanting to be in charge. One little girl has a dream she’s older and finds being grown up isn’t just fun and games. With fun illustrations and imaginative situations, this book is an entertaining read for all!

(Mouse & Dog to find on every page!)

A Short Man with Tons of Change

The Importance of Making Amends

Why Dogs Don’t Moo

Understanding Why Some Things Wont Change

The Wonder at the Well

The Joy that Comes from Being Fully Known & Loved

The Messy Narrow Road became a guiding light during a season of physical healing and deep soul searching. Morning after morning, God’s presence met me as I read, sometimes bringing confirmation, ofttimes revelation, and every time the assurance I am not travelling through life alone.

John Cassidy | Reader