Finding Rest in the Mess

Wisdom Learned through the Messiness of Life

The story behind the name

Relationships are messy

Jobs & Ministries are messy

Marriage is messy

Raising children is messy

From the Desk of Vicky…

Finding Rest in the Mess means… Experiencing contentment in Who the LORD is, being 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 for the jailer.

MODERN DAY: A woman walking into Walking-Mart when covid 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 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. I’ve learned this only wastes mental and emotional energy.
I like to think I know what’s best for others and that my perspective is correct (even when it’s not). Listening to others and hearing their perspective has helped me better navigate conflicts.
Being human is messy. Only God can produce and sustain positive character changes, and this helps to improve our relationships.

“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 & Ministry are Messy

I find His rest when living as His steward not a consumer of all that’s been given.
Growing to be more like Jesus is growing to be dependent on the Father. Often what I judge another of doing, I am also doing.
I have found that working well with others requires seeing the value in everyone and understanding my limits.

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 His 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 try to 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, owning our own wrongs, and forgiving 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.

Messy Narrow Road

40 short devotionals and original poems to encourage the weary and draw them close to Who loves us most and wants to walk us through the messiness of life and relationships.

Learn how to…

- Stay in our lane
- Wait well
- Redefine success

Being the Boss

It’s natural to want to be the boss of our life. One girl discovers through a dream that being the boss is harder than expected. With a new perspective, she approaches her little realm of responsibility differently and finds Jesus is the best boss of all.

(Mouse & Dog to find on every page!)

A Short Man with Tons of Change

Can a person really change? This man shows it’s not only possible but that positive change benefits many. Read to discover how he changed and Who brought such needed change about.

Why Dogs Don’t Moo

Have you ever wondered why dogs bark not moo? Through whimsical and imaginative scenarions, this book explains why nature is as it is.

The Wonder at the Well

Have you ever wondered if Jesus loves us no matter what we’ve done? This woman finds that He not only does, He also wants a deep relationship with those who embrace Him as the Wonder He is.

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