Blog Posts Tagged rest | KatherineJoy

Rest is something that may seem impossible. Believe me, I understand! We have 4 children, we farm, we work. Life is busy! Last week we went camping. We came home to 2 cows out and a sewer backing up into our laundry room. This on top of the mountain of laundry and cleaning that needed to be done.

I believe we were created to enjoy our lives, not just endure them.

Last month, as I was contemplating running the self care challenge, I was agonizing over all the work that needs to be done. My heart is heavy for all that is going on in the world right now and I was struggling to sort out my part in all of this. What is my role? What is MY PART?

I realized that I am craving peace and rest. One morning I woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep. Then two verses came to mind. I'll share them with you here, because, if you are feeling the weight of all that is happening in the world today, perhaps they may comfort and encourage you as well.

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work (toil). Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 2:24

Perhaps you find these verses odd, and what do they have to do with rest?? Bare with me.

The writer of these verses was one of the wealthiest and most successful people who had ever lived. He was renowned for his wisdom. He wrote an entire book about the meaninglessness of life.

Wait what?

Yes, he literally had everything a man could ever ask for. And he looked around and asked himself, what is the point in it all?? He was weary from all his toil. Can you relate?

When I read this I realized that I needed to hear it. I needed permission to enjoy my work and to rest from it because there is always going to be more that needs to be done. There is always laundry to put away, dishes to wash, mouths to feed and that's just in my own home, what about all the starving and hurting people in the world??

However, even though there is crazy stuff happening in the world right now, it's nothing new. (please don't send me the articles and the videos to convince me it's new, I've watched them all, ITS CRAZY, I know) but when we look back over history, the same kind of crazy has been happening all along. There have been plagues and corrupt government and all forms of darkness all throughout history. I can rest, knowing that someone much bigger than I, is in control of it all. I don't have to control it, all I need to do, is my part. Which is raising tiny humans who will do their part. And the only way I can do that is if I'm not a crazy angry mama. This means I allow myself to rest.

So today I encourage you to shut off the media, all media. Turn off the screens and allow your mind to rest. Allow your body to slow down. Allow yourself to enjoy this weekend. This will enable you to enter into next week rested and ready to fight the battles, feed the people, clean the things, to do the work you were created to do, and enjoy it, not just bare it.

Tips to ensure a day of rest:

spend a little extra time the day before cleaning so that there's less pressure to clean on your rest day
unplug from screens and media
play a game
read
eat simple meals or eat left-overs
if you must clean, stick to the basics, clearing the table, running the dishwasher
plan a nap if possible
spend time outside

Bless you friend!! I hope you have an amazing, restful weekend!