What a wonderful weekend we had! We always go to Silver Dollar City for the kids’ birthdays. This weekend it was time to celebrate Isaiah’s birthday. We have been crazy busy for the past several weekends so we decided to stay in Branson all weekend; it was a much needed rest for all of us. As we were headed home I told Adam that I must have needed it more than I realized because even though it was only two nights it felt much longer and I felt well rested.
As moms we tend to work ourselves to death without taking a rest. We are the primary caregivers for these little people that live in our home and we often meet every single one of their needs before we meet even one of ours. Even as I try to write this I’m having to stop to break up fights, restart shows that they are watching, clean up cereal that they’ve spilled, wipe away tears, and cuddle the ones that are crawling into my lap.
God gave us a great model when He created this beautiful world. He worked and created, yet He still set aside a day to rest. As moms, how often are we following God’s model? Guess what! We can’t do everything all by ourselves. We need help; we need rest. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus tells us, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” And often in Jesus’ short three years of ministry He goes to the mountain by Himself to rest and rejuvenate.
He gives us the model for rest. It’s OK, moms, to step away from everything and find rest. It’s perfectly all right to walk in the bathroom, lock the door, breathe, and never actually use the toilet. And no, I don’t mean look around and start cleaning it. Put the lid down on the toilet, sit and rest. Does that not sound like a nice rest to you? Then don’t feel bad telling your husband that you are going to go to Target, order a drink at Starbucks, and slowly peruse the aisles. Take time and rest in whatever way is rejuvenating for you!
I know there are some moms that do not have the luxury of just turning off and finding rest. For those of us that do, seek to find someone that needs rest. Find a way to offer rest to her. Offer to keep her kids for a couple hours. Offer her to come to your house and let the kids all play together while you both get some adult conversation. Offer to take her some coffee and/or chocolate. Let her know that you are praying for her.
Listen, ladies! We cannot be everything for everyone at every second! Give yourself a break, take a rest, turn to Jesus, find strength in Him.
Isaiah 40:29
“He gives strength to the wearyand strengthens the powerless.”