Spent.

Here it is only the first week in November and I find myself feeling a little bit overwhelmed and headed straight toward exhaustion. Ever since we went out of town for a week, I can’t seem to get caught up on anything–whether it be our laundry or my to-do list of projects and obligations. Maybe I’m just annoyed by the head colds and ear infections that have plagued our family and produced all manner of grouchiness and fatigue in all of us. Or, maybe it’s the fact that I’m trying to cram too much activity and productivity into each week as we sail into what is often the busiest two months of the year. All I know is this: I don’t want to move toward Thanksgiving and Advent already feeling tired and stressed. Those conditions render me ineffective and unloving. And, I don’t want to miss the joy and opportunities of the upcoming season because I’m too busy preparing for it and too hurried to absorb its significance and beauty. That’s one of the Enemy’s favorite schemes, and I want to resist.

I know in my head that rest does wonders for the body and the soul. I can see this truth played out on the days when the girls get adequate naps and wake up refreshed and in good spirits. Why, then, is it so hard to put this into practice in my adult life? I don’t necessarily need a nap every afternoon (though I’d be all for us adopting a siesta program here in this country). What I do need,… what we all need, is a sabbath. Intentional rest. Eugene Peterson says this:

“At regular intervals we need to quit our work and contemplate His, quit talking to each other and listen to Him. God knows we need this and has given us a means in sabbath–a day for praying and playing, simply enjoying what He is.”

Maybe it’s really that simple. And maybe some sabbath would be a great prescription for a more peaceful and reflective holiday season.

When you’re Type A all the way It’s hard to believe it, but Spurgeon is surely right when he says “rest time is not waste time.” I’m not quite sure how to make it happen or what exactly it will look like, but I’m going to give sabbath some effort. (Isn’t it strange how we have to work to plan a time to rest?) It may mean some brief fasts from technology, some bike rides outside, some minutes set aside to read, a few more dinners at home, some time spent listening to music, some weeding of our calendar, etc. Whatever the case, I hope it makes a difference.  And, I know it will.

How quickly I forget that sabbath and rest itself is a God-ordained gift.  It’s as if He knew we’d need it 😉

So, here’s to hoping you enjoy some sabbath this weekend!