The Calming Room- Finding Rest in the Name of Jesus

“Well what if we did this?” 

We were already trying to find a way out of selling the house. Even though we knew it wasn’t an option, we tried to come up with an alternative solution. This conversation happened shortly after we finished our first big post-decision project. The guest room. 

For months now, my kids and I have been calling it "The Calming Room" because even before the renovations started, it was a quiet place for Mommy to come and do some blogging/reading while Cola played with legos or something tranquil. We loved coming to The Calming Room to help our minds settle down. It makes sense that shortly after its remodel (with fresh white paint and a beautiful morning view of the front yard) I was scrounging for ways to stay forever. 

The guest room is the first big change we’ve seen since we’ve started working on the house to sell. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have this room now. As you can imagine, my soul desperately needs a place of rest given the current state of our home. The moment I walk in, everything outside seems so much smaller as my worries blur and fade into oblivion. I’ve been known to do my best thinking around water (washing dishes, taking a shower, and kayaking on a river), but I most certainly do the best resting near pillows. Lying down on a bed doesn’t have to take place for me to feel that repose. If there’s a room set aside for that specific purpose- I’m at ease within its walls. 

Come unto me, all ye who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. - Jesus 

Oh how quickly we forget to rest in the name of Jesus. A place specifically designed to give us rest at all times. 

There’s a hymn I can recall singing at the Church of Christ circa 1990 something, sitting in my Granny’s lap and chewing a piece of fresh Juicy Fruit gum. 

Jesus, Jesus.  Sweetest name I know. Fills my every longing. Keeps me singing as I go. 

Those words. That melody. It’s etched in my brain and tethered to my heart. So why then, are its truths so easily lost on me? 

If there can be a room in my house specifically designed for me to be still and find peace- why then can I not find that space in my heart? Why not make room on my tongue for the name of Jesus to be spoken more? When we were children, they told us that Jesus was in our heart and I imagine I’m not the only one that envisioned this small cellar door that we could open and wave to Jesus. As we grew older, we learned that He’s omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. I wonder though, that in the reality of how BIG God is, we’ve forgotten how easily accessible He is for His children.

Lord, it is the cry of my heart to be able to utter your name and feel instant rest.

Jesus. 

When my kids are screaming at one another (or at me!), when all the laundry is piled up, and the dishes are still “soaking” from three days ago. 

When I’ve cancelled on yet another invite though I’m in desperate need of community. 

When I’m too disappointed in myself to even step foot inside that Calming Room. 

Jesus. 

Let Your name bring me peace every time I say it. Your word says whatever I ask in Your name, you will do, so that Your name will be glorified. (John 14:13) Well, this is what I ask. That You would be my number one source of rest. 

That little girl who sat on her Granny’s lap at The Whitney Church of Christ all those years ago loved to sing the name of Jesus. The very mention of His name sent joy bursting through her soul. This morning, her daughter sat on the front row and sang His name with the same light in her eyes while watching Mommy sing. When they got home later, the daughter asked the mother, “Can we sing that song with Jesus in it?”

Oh to be people that long to hear His name spoken once more. Knowing the power, the presence, and the permanent peace that it holds. 

Today, I’m going back into time, to Granny’s lap and singing this song once more. 

There's within my heart a melody;

Jesus whispers sweet and low,

"Fear not, I am with you, peace, be still,"

in all of life's ebb and flow.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Sweetest Name I know

Fills my every longing

Keeps me singing as I go

He Keeps Me Singing- Luther B. Bridgers (1910)

Reflect

How might you find more room in your heart for the Lord this week? What are some spaces in your home that you might consider reimagining in order to invite Jesus into those areas? 

Scripture References

Matthew 11:28

John 14:13

Music For Your Week

Come To Me- Aaron Shust 

Call On The Name of the Lord- Jared Anderson 

Make Room- Community Music

And I’ll make room for you 

To do whatever you want to

Do whatever you want to

He Keeps Me Singing - The Harmony Quartet 

Into the Unknown- An Exciting Update from the Banks Family

I can look out this window and name off twenty or more memories. Right inside that little grove of trees. I could easily recall the sound of my now three year old daughter’s laughter because it’s mimicked in the giggles of my one year old son. It’s not the house that I’ll be mourning when we move away. It’s time. 

I’ve found that the strive for achievement comes at a high cost. My daughter is now reading and writing most of the letters in the alphabet… but what I wouldn’t give to hear her squeak “shoes” and sign “wah-wah” once more.  

I walked both of my babies down the rocky road to the mailbox. I flew down the driveway holding onto a rope, slinging them both in a beat up, faded old fire truck. I watched them skin their knees and run for the woods all around that little grove of trees outside this window. Leaving this house will be one of the hardest moves I’ve ever made- yet we feel most compelled to do it. 

“But WHY?!” Has been the most prominent question we’ve heard from close friends and family members. “It’s such a good house and you’ve done so much!” Trust me, throwing away something we’ve worked so hard for isn’t my idea of fun either- yet here we are. Trusting God and leaning on His promises. 

One of the verses that keeps coming to mind as we’ve started on the house is found in Psalms, 

The one thing I ask of the Lord- the thing I seek most- is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. Psalms 27:4

The truth is, Jared and I have been back and forth about this decision for years- and now that we have the means to get the house finished- we really feel like it’s the best option for us. A few weeks ago, we sat out on the front porch while the kids played in the yard, head in hands. I looked up and said “as long as you and the kids are with me, I could live anywhere.” By the grace of the Holy Spirit, every ounce of me believed what I was saying. 

My heart cries out as I’m writing this as long as You’re with me, Lord I can live anywhere. I can go anywhere. I can do all things through You. For where I am lacking, you are boundless. Where I am weak, You are strong and the list goes on and on. Inwardly, He's changing me. Fear and worry have crippled me for years, thinking that we just needed to stay and settle and hold on forever. Thinking we'd never get this back if we lost it. People that roam around all over the place? They must be lost! I used to think this way. Thank God that’s not true. The real truth is that you can be found by Jesus on a path toward His promises just as easy as if you were sitting in your mansion up in sky. He’s everywhere. That’s kind of His thing. The idea is not necessarily to get settled in- the true purpose is for you to find your place in His will and in His vast kingdom. That too, is kind of everywhere.

He asks us to serve. To move, to grow, and to give. Even though my Momma heart deeply longs for a Homestead and a place where weary travelers and burdened hearts can find rest- I need to be obedient and trust God when He tells me that my timing is a little off. I need to rest in the fact that my Father knows what’s best for me and His “not yet” isn’t the end of the road.

So much more, I’d love to share- but for now, we’ll leave it at this.

I can’t do this without knowing that He can.

I can’t leave the home my children grew up in.. without knowing He will heal my heart. 

I can’t be sure the housing market won’t turn on us...without trusting first that His promises are true. 

I can’t possibly rearrange my house and live in it while tearing it apart...without knowing He will give me peace. 

And friends, I believe He will do all of this and more. 

So! - I encourage you to walk alongside us as we both explain the reasons why and explore the reasons unknown!  Each week or so, we will post updates as we journey toward the full renovation and selling of our Mountain Home abode;) I will be running a series on the See Good Things podcast along with a weekly blog over at seegoodthingswithkari.blogspot.com that will share pictures and video of the remodel as we go along. Jared will be joining me every step of the way (doing most…. All of the work… as I keep the kids at bay). 

My hope is that those reading and listening can share in this process and find hope in letting go. Maybe there’s someone out there that feels trapped in their circumstance or in a rut. Maybe small changes aren’t cutting it and you’d like to trust God with the drastic “whatever Your will be done!” I hope we can offer you some encouragement- and some perspective. It’s not going to be easy, and rarely will it be fun, but if moving forward is what you feel led to do- then you’ve come to the right place! 

You might think we’re flippin crazy for selling- so that’s what we’ll call it. Flippin’ Crazy with the Banks:) 

Episode 1 of our Flippin’ Updates will be posted to my facebook account over at Kari Banks (blogger) and Jared will be with me! He and I will be sharing following episodes on that page months to come! I’ll share on my personal page as well, but if you’d just click like and follow over there, I can start keeping things in one place:) For now- check out this video of my two boys finding love in the mess of a remodel. For more cute videos here and there, follow me on Instagram @seegoodthingswithkari 

I can’t wait to catch you guys up on what’s happening with us! Please partner with us in prayer over this new and exciting season. Into the Unknown we go! 

*Taking a break from social media? If you'd like to be added to an email list to get updates on new videos, blogs, and podcasts, just shoot me an email at banksjonesk@gmail.com and I'll make sure to get that out to you weekly:)