The Art of Resting

Hi y'all! I hope you had a great weekend! Are you hanging in there? Yes, okay, let's dive in then. I think there is one critical area of our needs that we tend to overlook and that is rest. Not sleeping but truly resting, taking it easy. This is a tough one for me because as a mom I tend to feel guilty for "resting". There is always something more I could be doing. During this 30 days of restoration I am going to make a point to insert rest into my schedule.

I want to talk about the art of resting and what that really looks like because it feels unfamiliar to me. This might actually be one of the hardest parts of this project. I don't think I know how to rest, not really, do any of us? Does it mean not only are we not supposed to do office work but not housework either? Are we not allowed to leave the house. Are we supposed to stay off of the computer and phone?

Your definition may be one or a combination of these but I think what it really means is giving our brain, body, and souls a rest. To reflect on the blessings in our lives. To love on our families and friends To really listen to the story your 5-year-old is telling you after saying "um, um, um" five hundred times before he gets it out. Enjoying what God has given us, a walk in the gorgeous weather, a cup of coffee with friends, a trip to the mall, whatever it may be.

Mirriam-Webster's online dictionary (because who owns a real dictionary anymore?) defines rest as: "1. repose, sleep; specifically: a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities; freedom from activity or labor; a state of motionlessness or inactivity". Doesn't that sound great? Motionless and inactive :)

I think rest can look many different ways for different people but I think it takes some thought. If you don't have a plan for your rest day you run the risk of it looking like any other day and therefore not reaping the benefits. Rest does not mean you do the exact same thing you do Monday through Friday except go to your office or wherever your place of work may be. No, it means taking time to breathe.

I also believe that we are called to honor the Sabbath so what better day to study this than Sunday. I know that some people have to work on Sundays, they don't have an option and that's okay, but I challenge you to think about true rest and carve out time that works for your family.I have put some thought into it and my rest day is going to look like this: Church, a low-key afternoon that might consist of lunch with my son, walking the dogs around the block, reading books on the couch, a family dinner and probably a little football. Simple right? Yes but I have planned it out so that when things come up and challenge me to change my plan I am prepared. Do you plan your rest days so you don't get caught up in the race of everyday life?

Coincidentally last night I was reading my son a story from his children's bible story book before bedtime (which has completely been his choice as of late...sigh...doesn't that make you happy as a mommy) and it says "Remember to keep the Sabbath as a holy day. You may work and get everything done during six days each week. But the seventh day is a day of rest to honor the Lord your God. On that day no one may do any work...". This tiny passage made me realize that I also want to teach my son the art of resting. You can find the children's bible story book that we use here if you are looking for a good one.

On a quick side note, November is Adoption Awareness month and for those of you who don't know me well, I adopted my son from Russia in 2010. I could rattle off a bunch of statistics for you but I won't bore you with that. Just know that I know first hand that there are hundreds of thousands of children who need forever homes in our country and around the world. I have seen them. Please join me in praying this month for orphans around the world and let's walk in gratitude for the children that we have and the families we love. James 1:27

See you tomorrow!