“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” – John Lubbock
Our relaxing November
Ahh, November. How I have loved you! This year, November has been a pretty relaxing month for us. After a crazy, busy summer and a fall full of kids sports, we have had a much-needed break. No softball practice for Emily, reduced practices for Lainie, and only a couple of gymnastics meets. For us, this meant free time on the weekends. Say what?! Too bad my sleep cycle didn’t get the memo. Most mornings I was still up by 6:00 am but it sure was nice to stay in bed and relax, instead of rushing off somewhere.
We had a few days at home. Home all day. Literally didn’t leave the house.
Heaven on Earth…
We spent a couple of days doing fun stuff together as a family: Michigan football and basketball game, target practice in the backyard, movies.
Anthony and I had a dinner date night and went Christmas shopping. The 5 of us went to church together. I had a girls’ night away with my bestie. Thursday yoga finally made it on the calendar. We took a trip to the library and I read a whole book and relaxed in the hot tub with a glass of wine. The kids built entire Minecraft villages (whatever that means) It was amazing to do one thing at a time. Heck, sometimes I did nothing! At first, this took some practice. After months of being busy, it is hard to just be! Thanksgiving weekend was a great mix of fun and relaxation, which I am super thankful for.
The importance of breaks
Breaks are important. This seems like a no-brainer. But how many people do you know that NEVER SLOW DOWN? I know a few. Sometimes I am that person. My theory – if God himself needed rest, then I do too! On Sunday, God rested. He created the whole world and everything in it, which sounds pretty exhausting.
Rest allows us to rest, recharge, and renew our mind, body, and soul. Think about your car. You can only go so far on a tank of gas, then it’s time to stop and refuel your empty tank. We are no different. Eventually, we need to stop and refuel. I have felt the effects of running on empty and let me tell ya, it ain’t pretty! Taking a few minutes to rest is well worth it.
God’s word about rest
The Bible talks a lot about rest. If it’s in the Bible, it’s important! And, things we think are hard today were A LOT harder back in bible days. No technology, cars, or fast food restaurants. You get the idea! So if rest was important back then, it’s even MORE important now!
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Genesis 2:2-3 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Psalm 55:6 I said, “Oh, that I had wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”
Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
Jesus knew what it was like to be busy. People needed his time and attention, and after a while, he went away to rest. If you are struggling with a fast pace, take a break! Find a few minutes to unwind. Take a few days off. This might mean saying “No” once in a while. Whatever it takes, relax, recharge, and renew your mind, body, and soul. I PROMISE you will be glad you did!
