Two weeks ago, I found myself on a beach. I sat on the sand, ordered tacos, and listened to the melody of my friends’ laughter punctuated by the crash of the nearby waves. I thanked God and cracked jokes and closed my eyes and wondered . . .
First of all, what even was my life? But also . . . why was I still so tired?
The weekend after I returned from the (in)courage writers’ retreat, I spent most of one day lying on the couch and watching TV. Then I spent several hours the next day napping, followed up with several hours giving myself a guilt trip.
I’d just returned from three days in paradise, so how could I still be tired?
My soul was certainly refreshed, so why couldn’t I handle “real life” any better than before my trip?
I had some time off and now I had so much to do. What was I doing lying around like this?
I asked myself these loaded questions and more, even though I knew . . .
I knew that I’d barely had a spare minute the past two months, that I’d spent every lunch break making appointments and filling out forms, that I’d worked weekends to make up for those appointments during the week, that this season was just the garbage frosting on a garbage cupcake of several months of constant crisis.
I also remembered the words of a recent counseling session about our need to take regular breaks to bolster and protect our mental health and, therefore, our ability to handle life’s challenges. But the unfortunate truth is that one vacation doesn’t fill our tank for the rest of the year or, depending on your current situation, even for the rest of the month.
It’s almost like we need a rhythm of frequent rest to handle what comes at us day after day.
And we know this, don’t we? We know that God rested (Genesis 2:1-3) and Jesus napped (Luke 8:23). We know we’re called to observe a regular Sabbath, a time set apart for rest and worship (Exodus 20:8-11). So why is it so hard?
Well, sometimes taking a Sabbath is hard because of logistics. We have seasons where it truly feels impossible to carve out a whole day (much less a long weekend or full week) to rest. Sometimes we feel guilty for taking any break at all, knowing just how many items have not been crossed off our lists or how many people “have it worse.” And sometimes we know that if we let down our guard, if we listen for the voice of the Lord, if we take a breath deep enough to fill our lungs, we’re going to break down for a good, long while. And we do not have time for that. So we keep going.
We tell ourselves rest is optional or we haven’t earned it yet or this is just how this season is. And we dig deep into an empty well and attempt to bolster our defenses for one more day.
We just keep going. We keep going until we break.
But, friends, Scripture tells us it doesn’t have to be this way! We don’t have to grit our teeth, clench our fists, and force ourselves forward without a drop of fuel. And we don’t have to feel guilty for needing the rest God took Himself and instructed us to take as well.
“There is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest.“
Hebrews 4:9-11 NLT
How can we do our best to enter that rest? Well, the things that truly replenish your body and soul may vary. But I think we all must start in the same place.
To experience Sabbath, no matter our season or situation, we must first admit that we need it and then give ourselves grace for that need. It’s okay that you’re human! If you’re holding yourself hostage over the belief that you should be superhuman and above needing regular rest, stop it. Accept the freedom and compassion God offered when He created Sabbath in the first place. Receive the rest Jesus promised when He invited all those who are weary and burdened to take on His light yoke instead of the one weighing us down (Matthew 11:28-30).
And then, right where we are, in our real, messy, tiring lives, we need to pause. Relax, reflect, and rest.
Let your to-do list take a break and listen for God. Breathe. Sleep. Soak up the refreshment you need to connect with the Lord and with yourself before returning to your day, your home, your life.
For me, I enter the rest God offers — even in the most hectic, hard seasons — by listening to my Bible app, by snuggling with my sleepy daughter before jumping in the shower each morning, and by taking the long way home along a back road. I receive rest by blocking out distractions when I take communion at church — and protecting my Sunday afternoon nap with a ferocity my family laughs at but respects.
For you, it might be a morning cup of coffee and a favorite devotional, an hour alone in Target, an afternoon hike, or something nobody else would even think of! True rest and the sacred practice of Sabbath take many forms, but each is a gift from our heavenly Father.
How will you enter His rest today?
I’m returning home from the beach this morning.. I can soo relate to your reflection here you have written Mary. Thank you!!
I hope your trip was lovely and that you find time to rest on return as well!
God’s timing with your post is perfection for me this am.
So glad this was an encouragement to you, Jill. Thank you for being here!
My daughter consistently reminds me that I am retired and can take my time to do things. I also had a wise woman for a boss years ago that told me that it was ok to take off the cape, fold it up and put it in the drawer and that I did not have to be supermom. It is so hard to do even at my age. But I am trying. I now begin my day, after some coffee of course, by reading scripture and (in)courage, etc. I have also started doing yoga, again, for 30 minutes each morning. And I am trying to say no to requests which is really hard. Prioritizing and lists are a must. I won’t lie that is always works but it is a start. Guilt has a way of gnawing at me that I should be doing more. So I get what you are saying and appreciate being remind that even Jesus rested. Now to attack the weeds in the garden!
Yes! Even Jesus rested. 🙂 I always need that reminder too!
Quiet time.
I sure could use some prayers to if you would. :'(
Praying you feel God’s presence tonight, Amada, and that He gives you strength and peace for whatever you are facing.
Thank you for this. Even in retirement, I often feel I need to have a to-do list and keep busy. A couple years ago my sister was flooded out of her apartment which resulted in an immediate need to find her temporary housing and, eventually, a move to assisted living. She was a hoarder and cleaning out her was a nightmare. We live out of state, so this took several trips back and forth. On the final day of cleaning out her apartment, I couldn’t get out of bed. I was so dizzy and exhausted, had hardly slept in several weeks. Then I was overwhelmed with guilt over my husband needing to finish up alone. As I look back, my biggest mistake was not relying on God and realizing that the exhaustion was his way of forcing me to let it go. The experience has helped me to put things in his hands, but I’m still a work in progress.
We are all works in progress, Laurie! And yes, sometimes our bodies tell us to REST when our minds tell us we shouldn’t.
Mary thank you so much for this reading. It has really spoke to me. I not good at resting. I am the type of person feels that I have to do it. They need me. Like for my elderly Dad. Who I do his House for him. As he not able to do it. Resting or taking a break from doing his House. I feel I can’t as my Dad needs me. People have said to me loads of times. Dawn you need your rest. You need to think of your health. I suffer from seizures. You can’t go on Monday to Friday doing your Dad’s House. You need to rest. I have an answer for them. But my Dad needs me. He can’t do it. But my Sister’s can do for the time being when I not there for a few days. When I away on Holiday or just of to rest. God through my Husband and very good friend has told me the same thing. Or you will be no good to your Dad. My sister’s go see our Dad my Dad at night. I go during the day to his House. They then do whatever needs doing at night. Make Dad his tea as well. So today’s reading has really spoke to me. I need to rest more. Even when I am in my own House I never stop. I have to keep going if something needs done in my House I do it. Rather than leave it. The only way to get me to switch off and rest. Is a few days away from everything even my Dad’s. So thank you for the reading. God is speaking to me. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland. Xx
Dawn, I pray that you can truly rest and find some peace this evening.
Thank you Mary. I love to garden and springtime is the best! It drives my husband crazy because I go, go, go and don’t rest.
But, at my defense, I’ve been looking for a job with ZERO responses ZERO! I have never had such a difficult time looking for a job. I submit my resume. A few days later I pop into the leasing office I’ve applied for and introduce myself. I’m old fashion in that aspect…match a face with work experience on paper. Thank you and smiles….then again nothing. So I go back to working in my yard. Lately, I’ve realized God’s plan obviously isn’t my plan. He wants me home. He has blessed me with a yard of flowers and weeds, trees and grass to water. He knows I love it. He also knows I need to be available for my husband’s dr appts. To help him. I’ve finally let go and let God. I’m resting pulling weeds and trimming flowers \0/
Janet, I can see how doing yard work and seeing tangible results from your efforts is therapeutic in a time when you’re not getting answers as you search for a job. Praying God provides both a job and peace of mind for you!
Mary……Thank you for this story. I just got off the phone with a good friend and we were talking about being so tired, but we also had so much to do, we didn’t have time to even take a breath. I will have to call her back and tell her it is OK with God to take our rest. I am 76 years old and living in a Senior Living Community. You would not think there is much to do, but there is many people here that aren’t happy with anything. I am going to get my mew Bible out after lunch and read the scriptures that you gave to us. Mary, this is exactly what I needed today as I have been in a very difficult situation for the past 5 years. It is still not settled, seems to finally be moving along. Have a great day and Bless those Children. My son has abandoned me.
Betsy Basile
Yes! Call your friend and share God’s gift of rest with her! And then I pray you can receive it as well. I also pray that He will comfort you and guide you in the situation with your son.
Love this, Mary! Thanks so much for your wise thoughts. Much peaceful joy and rest, Patricia
Thank you, Patricia!
Janet, I can see how doing yard work and seeing tangible results from your efforts is therapeutic in a time when you’re not getting answers as you search for a job. Praying God provides both a job and peace of mind for you!