As much as I love being busy and active… this mama needs rest. I am finding that rest is so beneficial to many aspects of my life: faith, family and fitness. When I am tired, overworked, overwhelmed and stressed I don’t function to my fullest capability. I need to slow down and rest.
My morning devotional from yesterday hit the nail on the head with how I had been feeling lately. I love structure, routine, and a busy go-getter lifestyle. But sometimes it is great to just relax, breathe and just be. When we are weary, burnt out or burdened by the stress of life we need to take a step back, reflect, look up and cast our cares to Him. We cannot help others when we are overwhelmed and burdened.
Matthew 11:28- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
In fitness training, rest days are key for making sure the muscles have time to repair all the breaking down you do during training. Rest helps repair and heal.
Young children (and weary mothers… wait, maybe that is just me) need rest each day. Whether it is nap time or just an hour of quiet down time… their little brains need time for rest and calm. When our children are sleeping major growth occurs! Growth happens when they rest.
God rested on the seventh day after creating this beautiful universe we live in. If God rests… shouldn’t we? I am sure he sat back on that seventh day and sat back in awe at the good he created. He was able to reflect and enjoy because he rested and wasn’t busy.
Whatever storms you are going through in your life today, know that God is with you. He will never forsake you. To be strong and courageous because the LORD our God is always with you. I find comfort knowing and reminding myself of that fact when I am in my lowest low.
Life is hard. Parenting is hard. Training is hard. { insert whatever you are going through } is hard!! We are not made to carry the burden of this world. When we cast our cares to HIM we can finally relax in his peace… giving us rest.
Perhaps this is a lesson that I am learning and am alone in this thought… but I know that I find that I need daily rest. Daily reflection.
Rest is a very important part of our lives. We need quiet time. We need time to reflect. We need sleep to function correctly. We need rest to repair our over trained muscles so that they can repair and rebuild.
Katie says
I love this idea. I try to make a point to rest each day. Usually I try to sit quietly on the porch and just watch the world go by. Or by the fire at night and just breath. I find turning off the TV and music makes a big difference in my rest. I need emotional rest as much as physical.
Thank you for sharing. Happy Friday!
Amanda @runtothefinish says
I love when we finally get the message on slowing down. I think it comes in waves for me where I really enjoy go, go, go and then suddenly I need to pause and in that pause feel totally rejuvenated.
Anita says
I love the idea of rest. But my concept of rest has changed. I find if I have just 15 -20 minutes of quite time with the Lord in the Morning that is the foundation for my day. I wish I could manage more. The older the kids get the more “Running” I find myself doing. Running to school, running from school, running to practices, running to meetings…and so on !!
He gives me the Strength when my body fails me.
Grateful.