Sometimes it seems difficult for me to slow down, to rest. But when I do, what a gift it is.  My body, mind, spirit all know how much I need it.

A few weeks ago I had the blessing of enjoying sweet quality time in Arizona with two of my Proverbs 31 Ministries’ coworkers. Not only do I have the joy of working with these talented teammates, it was fun to get to know Glynnis Whitwer and Contessa Siegner even better.

We ate delicious Arizona cuisine on the road, laughed until our sides ached, and sang in the car. They were patient with my corny puns. We also experienced breathtaking landscape together of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Williams, and Phoenix and worshiped at Glynnis’ awesome New City Church in Phoenix.

We also talked about our blessings and our struggles. We encouraged each other in our faith journeys. This past trip showed me even more how healthy and necessary it is to get away and rest, relax.

Brilliant Renaissance man Leonardo Da Vinci said, “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation. For when you come back to your work, your judgment will be surer…Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and a lack of harmony or proportion is more readily seen.”

Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember that it’s one of the Ten Commandments–not a suggestion–to rest and to honor the Sabbath.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God…For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” –Exodus 20:8-10a, 11.

I am thankful to my parents for encouraging our family to honor the Sabbath and rest. Growing up and now, enjoying the Sabbath helps me fuel up for the week. If the Lord can do it all in six days, what makes me think I can’t?

Let’s give ourselves permission to rest and relax.  Let’s make more of an effort to unwind. I am stubborn, so it may take me a few times to do this. I promise you I’ll try my best to rest.

As Roman poet Ovid said, “Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”

Reflect:

–When is the last time you truly relaxed, truly rested with friends, your spouse or by yourself? Please comment.

–How do you observe the Sabbath? Please let us know.

–Do you feel over-programmed? What steps can you take to add more margin of rest in your schedule?

Renew:

–-“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” –Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

–“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.” –-Hebrews 4:9-10 NIV.

Recharge:

–What plans will you make to intentionally set aside time for vacation, rest, relaxation? Please comment.

–How will you plan to be still, be quiet for a time?