Yesterday around 5:00p.m I plopped down on a kitchen chair, my hands gripping the glass table in front of me, my head drooping and I wanted to weep. I was so tired. I briefly considered going to bed – or taking a nap – but that would probably mean being awake half the night. Not. Worth. It.
Have you ever been there – tired enough to cry? Bone weary? No energy for the tiniest task. Weary for sleep. Weary for rest.
It might be from being over-scheeduled. Or, it might be due to too much pressure on you. Or your mind is spinning from worry – or fear – or lack of control. You get it.
Observing my one year old granddaughter has given me a new perspective on rest.
One minute this sweet child is smiling and chuckling, then suddenly I hear a choking sound deep in her throat, her smile falls, within seconds her eyes are brimming with tears and a piercing cry fills the air coming somehow from her little body.
“She’s tired,” her mama explains. I get it. It only takes a moment.
My daughter is a mama who insists on maintaining a routine nap schedule. Bless her. Her happy and healthy children benefit from her thoughtful care.
Their naps restore them. Rejuvenate them back to their energized state. Their playful curiosities are awakened with napping, ready to resume hearty play, continual motion, and ever present questions from my 4 year old grandson “Why?’.
My own approach to rest – especially the Sabbath rest – probably resembles my granddaughter’s approach at nap time while being carried kicking and screaming to the crib in her bedroom.
I’ve struggled to Sabbath for 30 plus years. I know it’s God’s command. I even know it’s for my best – and yet, I struggle.
I approach it with lips tightened in a straight grimace, fists tightly clenched, ‘I will do this‘ I tell myself in my most disciplined work manner.
Discipline. That best describes my approach. Not. Joyful.
I will myself not to ‘work’, and what that means I’ll leave to the many beautiful and much wiser Sabbath authors like Shelly Miller “Rhythms of Rest” and Mark Buchanan “The Rest of God” both who have changed my thinking on Sabbath rest.
I’m changing my approach to Sabbath. I’m convinced that Sabbath rest can and should be approached with an expectation of gladness.
“I (God)was angry and made a solemn promise: ‘You will never enter the land where I would have given you rest.” Psalm 95:11 (Good News Translation)
This week I read those words. Life without God’s goodness – His care – even, His rest – is bleak.
The Israelites traveled for forty years awaiting the land God promised and their place to rest, yet lost it in their disobedience. They knew the value of rest – a lesson learned from their years of captivity. Slaves don’t necessarily get to rest, unless they have a very kind master. Slaves are under another’s rule. Not. In. Charge.
Slaves have no mandated vacations. No weekends. No holiday pay. No guaranteed time off.
Slaves have no rights – no right to rest.
Rest is a privilege. It is a gift, a special care or consideration given by God to keep us functioning as we were designed. We need this time to be restored. Our bodies give way, they give in, they weren’t designed for 24/7 living. Sleep, as well as rest, are critical to well being.
Truly, God’s gifts to us in rest is good. For our benefits. One of His tender loving mercies to us.
My own tiredness lifts as I feed on the sight of my granddaughter in a rare moment of quiet – her body limp, arms slightly stretched over her daddy’s middle – sound asleep, soft breathing noises escape through her heart shaped lips.
This is the moment.
This is the picture of rest.
A gift. A treasure.
And when awakened she feels her daddy’s warmth.
She feels her place. Safe in a loving embrace.
“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord…”
Isaiah 63:7
Today, may I not harden my heart – may I receive all Your good gifts – even, Your rest – with gladness.
“Blessed is the one who does this –
the person who holds it fast,
Who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing evil.” Isaiah 56:2
***Have you noticed my obsession with writing about receiving God’s gifts with gladness? It’s true! I can’t help myself – perhaps this will lead to a series. This week’s post was inspired by my participation in Shelly Miller’s Lent Reflections with #SabbathSociety. Be blessed, friend!
#ThisDayGodsWay
