The Red Blanket

It was during one of the hardest times of my life that the red blanket came to be a symbol of comfort, hope, rest and refreshment. I was struggling with feelings of worthlessness, knowing that I couldn't stretch far enough to cover everything that I was "supposed" to, and hearing criticism from so many directions. And often the criticism from different sources went directly against each other. I was too much of something according to one source while being too little of the same according to another. I was pushing myself as hard as I could physically while dealing with constant chronic pain and fatigue and not getting nearly enough done. while hearing that I should be doing more. There was always something that should have been done better and someone to point that out to me. I knew I wasn’t keeping up and yet it seemed I wasn’t able to do a thing about it.

 

The concept of a Heavenly Father who loves me no matter what, completely unconditionally has been hard for me to grasp but during this time I finally began to really learn how true it is. One night as I was trying, unsuccessfully, to sleep He reminded me again of how much He loves me. And that night, wrapped up in my favorite red blanket, I asked Him to just hold me and give me rest. And He did. It was as if I was simply wrapped up in strong loving arms and held. No expectations to earn love, to get things right or to be good enough in any way. Just simply held and shielded from everything around me. And I rested. Since that night whenever I am overwhelmed, anxious, or worried I find myself going to bed at night, curling up in my favorite red blanket and saying "Thank You Father, for holding me." I know He has everything under control and in His love and strong arms I can rest.

Our Heavenly Father desires for each of us to find rest in Him. We are reminded in many places throughout Scripture that He wants us to have rest and that He gives us that rest. Here are a few of those reminders.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. Jeremiah 31:25

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24

I lay down and slept, I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:5

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

This rest is for each person who will receive it. Just know that you can ask for that rest, that you can let go and know He is holding on to you and He will give you that rest. You are always safe in His arms.