My face is red. My hands are shaking. My stomach hurts. Suddenly, my right eye literally starts to twitch.
I slam down my fork on the table.
“THAT’S IT! I. AM. TAKING. A. NAP.”
My husband calmly looks at me and lovingly responds, “Good. Enjoy your time. Take as long as you need.”
Well. THAT didn’t have the intended effect. But whatever. Bedtime for mama.
I used to think that rest was a sign of weakness. C’mon, I should be able to go on forever, right? Jesus will help me get there. Rest is for sissies. I am strong. I am not a coward.
Turns out, I was not on the right track. Rest is not an act of running away or cowardice. It is an act of courage.
And when we are following Jesus, it is an integral part of courageous faith.
You are probably tracking that my OneWord this year is Rest. And it’s been awesome. Hard. But awesome.
The first step thing I had to do was come to terms with my lack of courage to rest.
See, if I rest, things don’t get “done” like I think they “should.” But really, all that says is that I don’t trust God to help me when I am in motion.
I have said it before and I will say it again: Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves, our family or for Jesus is to take a nap.
Courageous rest shows up in a lot of different ways in my life.
Courageous rest is taking the weekend to totally unplug and just spend the time with hubs and daughter.
Courageous rest is forgoing the “to do” list on Monday morning and instead picking blackberries.
Courageous rest is dedicating a minimum of 15 minutes mid-day for a power nap.
Courageous rest is releasing that urge to feel like we have to be doing something “productive” 24/7.
Courageous rest is enjoying a bowl of Paleo “Ice Cream” while watching a single episode of our favorite show before bed.
Courageous rest is getting up early (even if it is 0530 on a Saturday) just to spend some time resting our souls in the quiet.
Courageous rest is knowing what to say no to.
Courageous rest is allowing God to wholly and solely direct our schedule.
What does courageous rest look like to you? Please join the conversation and leave a comment below.
It is really difficult for me to convey what a drastic difference this quest for rest has made in my life. I am still getting just as much done as I ever have before, but enjoying it so much more! I can see God at work. I am (mostly) a nicer, more loving wife/mama. I make time for friends instead of making excuses to work.
The courage to rest has spilled over into all areas of my life– and wouldn’t you know it? It has bolstered my courageous faith as well.
Resting in Him,
“It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?”
~Psalm 127:2 MSG
Linking up today with my friend Kristin over at Three-word Wednesday and having a little Coffee for your Heart with Holley. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
