Time for rest

Personal Photo: Clay snapped this photo of me and Jersey together, and it warms my heart. She has not left my side as I have been trying to feel better. She has been quite the companion, and I am grateful for her friendship. God never leaves our side either, and He protects us while we rest, reminds us that He will work out all the things we are stressing over, and helps point out the little blessings He sprinkles throughout our days.

The hot water running over my face felt nothing short of a lifeline as my head was pounding in my temples, my body aching from head to toe. I had left work a short twenty minutes after arriving, took my meetings virtually, and I had finally made it to my lunch hour where I had sixty uninterrupted minutes of freedom to focus on feeling better. My first step was a hot shower, which helped the medicine kick in and since it was midday, no need to turn on the lights. I am so rarely at home during sunlight hours, and the natural light jumping through the blinds lifted my spirits. Exhausted from such a short exertion, I came downstairs and ate a quick meal with Jersey curled up next to me before reopening my laptop for work.

This scene I just described ended up being numerous days this week and I had to take time off because I was feeling so poorly. As someone who rarely gets sick, I couldn't help but feel frustrated and disappointed that I could not stay healthy during a time of year where viruses and colds spread like wildfire in schools, gyms, daycares, workplaces, and more. I have been so excited for this weekend, as I had plans with a college friend, plans to wrap up Christmas shopping, and plans to really enjoy this weekend before holiday travel began for my family. Unfortunately, with illness grasping not just me, but my family, all plans were put on pause, halted or adjusted to allow for recovery. Even this article is late. Despite my best efforts, I didn't get healthy fast enough for my liking, as I am still leaning into restful naps, multiple showers per day, and the warmth of home to keep my energy levels on the rise. Although sickness is never ideal, it did help put into perspective to me how important rest is, and the reminder was much needed, this season especially.

Welcome to the busiest time of the year, the mad dash from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and trying to get everything bought, wrapped, decorated, and finished before the New Year. We are all victims of the holiday rush, the exhaustion of it all, and just trying to get it done with shorter daylight hours, worse weather, and less patience. It wears on us, it grinds us down after awhile, and the season is over sometimes before we ever got to enjoy it. This past week explained to me the utter necessity to slow down and to rest, and how much more special the season will be once we do so. With all of the hubbub, we can easily lose sight of the complete simplicity of Christmastime. Matthew 11:28 reminds us that we are told to "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." God is our refuge, our place of safety when we feel ourselves spiralling out of control, losing our patience, and rushing from one thing to the next. Just like the sunshine that greeted me when I felt so poorly, Jesus brings us comfort and light to help us get through how we feel now and He helps us enjoy the moments afterwards.

Rest is important. It is when we recharge, when we shut down the noise from the day and can reset to begin again refreshed and ready to try once more. Resting where Jesus is allows it to be quality rest, without worry, stress, and fear. Psalm 4:8 states "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." Without sleep we are irritable, frazzled, and unhappy. When we put down the stress of our day-to-day and we seek the Lord for peace, we find freedom in His calmness, peace in His words, and rest in His arms. We can then choose a different perspective when we go out into the world, one of patience and joy. Remembering that Jesus is where we find rest, where we can spend our energy, where we can love the little victories, all brings us to focus not on the razzle and dazzle of what the world tries to sell us this time of year, but rather on the glory of God.

Psalm 23:1-6 really highlights the ways in which rest goes hand in hand with our relationship with the Lord: "The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." This passage really brings to light how important it is that we rest where the Lord is, and that we do not wear ourselves down to the bone trying to get every little thing done. It will all fall into place if we trust in Him, we will find joy in the activities we partake in, and we will be able to appreciate each step along the way when we are rested and refreshed. God brings us everything we need, protects us when we need rest, guides our paths, comforts us, and blesses us beyond measure. Where God lives, is where we must go.

This season is so hectic for so many of us, but I want us to not lose sight of the importance of not just rest, but resting in the Lord's love. When we do this, we have such a unique opportunity to find joy in the nooks and crannies of every moment, of every busy season, of everything on our to do list. When we put the weight of it all down in order to seek God and rest in His love, we can pick it all back up invigorated, inspired, and with a perspective that allows us to remember the most important part of Christmas. I hope you all find rest in the Lord this time of year, and that it helps you seek the sunshine, the pretty snowflakes falling to the ground, and helps you be the joy that is so often absent when the weather turns cold. God bless you all!