The Gift Of Rest

As I prepared for my nightly routine, I looked at myself in the mirror and was slightly shocked at the reflection looking back at me. My eyes were puffy, my shoulders slumped, and my face looked tired—my body ached. I was exhausted, to say the least.

The previous several weeks for me had been quite full. After traveling for work, the constant demands of keeping up with a toddler, and trying to finish some personal goals- I needed to rest.

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31a

Gifts are something that, whether we expect them or not, most of us would gladly receive. Receiving gifts is a love language for some. They can bring joy into our lives. A day at the spa, an expected package in the mail, or a surprise lunch with a friend. It is not the cost, but the fact that someone thought of us can brighten our day and uplift our spirits.

But what about intangible gifts? The ones that hold value despite being invisible to the naked eye. During the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on the physical symptoms my body has been displaying (such as puffy eyes, brain fog, and irritability). It occurred to me that the gift of rest was something I had frequently denied myself.

Confession: As an overachiever, I often feel guilty for resting. Though my body is telling me I should be cuddled in bed, taking a break, my mind tells me, “Keisha, you should be doing something else with this time.” Clean the house. Reorganize the closet. Research new activities for the little one. The list goes on.

It’s no secret that rest is essential. Research shows it. It’s not only a gift to ourselves, but it is also a gift to others. (I mean, who wants to be around a cranky person? Lol!) When we enjoy the gift of rest, we experience restoration, refocus, and revived hearts.

Restoration. Rest is essential for our well-being, not just physically but also spiritually. When we are tired, it affects our bodies as well as our souls. Rest allows us to recover and regain the strength we often lose due to the demands of everyday life. A weary soul is a tired soul, but Isaiah 40:29 reassures us that “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Refocus. When we feel tired, we can often experience mental fog and confusion. Rest can help us calm our minds and tune down the noise of the world, our circumstances, or our inner thoughts. During our moments of rest, we have the opportunity to refocus on what God wants us to do in each season of our lives. As we emerge from the cloud of confusion, we can set our sights on the things above, where we find wisdom and where we discover God’s desires for us.

Rest, my friend, is a gift. Jesus invites us to come to Him all who are weary and heavy-laden, and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). The invitation is to come. It’s up to us to accept it.

We can’t continue to plow full-steam ahead, running on autopilot. Like a car with no gas- eventually, we’ll give out. Break the notion that you have to do all and be all things. While the idea of the superwoman is great, it is dangerous to our needy souls who crave the soothing comfort and respite from our Savior.

He leads you beside quiet waters. He restores your soul. Psalm 23:2-3

Be intentional about incorporating moments of sabbath into your regular routine. Maybe it’s sitting in the car for 15 minutes alone before you head into your home. An afternoon nap with your phone on “do not disturb” so you can rest your mind. Or a weekend away. Whether big or small, the idea is to rest, my friend. You’ll thank yourself for it later. Trust me.

Let’s talk about it! How can you start incorporating the gift of rest into your day?