I’ve rarely known what being refreshed feels like until this morning. It’s the third day of being snowed in after a storm in the Midwest. Facebook’s been heating up with complaints of restlessness, kids being cooped up and having endless time of nothingness on hand.
This morning, I’m thankful.
- I’m thankful my older kids arrived safely at their destinations, from college to Guatemala, missing the worst of the storm.
- I’m thankful for a warm house that has all the amenities I need.
- I’m thankful for non-stressed time to spend with my kids after a busy holiday season.
- I’m thankful for time off of work so I can sleep in, read, watch some movies.
- I’m thankful for time to really relax.
- I’m thankful for local governments that provide workers to plow roads and take care of the public.
- I’m thankful for time to think and reflect on goals for the New Year.
- I’m thankful to be able to work on those goals with extra time at my disposal.
- I’m thankful for the sun that’s shown on the beautiful snow for three days.
- I’m thankful for a season of rest.
When I woke up this morning, praise was on my lips. I realized how important rest is. Rest gives us the ability to look at things with a different perspective.Rest not only gives peace to our body, but to our soul and spirit, too. I’m thankful to be able to start the New Year with rest.
With a house full of kids, extra days off of school may not feel like rest. Routine and order have a real place in the balance of life. But so does rest. God ordained one day a week to be a day of rest but few of us take it anymore. I’m challenged as I face school, deadlines, and busyness tomorrow, to build more rest into my life as a habit rather than an unexpected interruption.
Do you need rest? How can you build it into your routine? These are things I’m committing to as we march back into the rat race this week:
- Make a habit of praising God before getting out of bed. Praise changes any perspective. You just need to do it.
- Commit to times of solitude during the week for peace of mind and soul. I currently do this at least three times a week, but it’s a commitment I have to protect.
- Get adequate sleep. I’ve been reminded how much my body needs this since I’ve caught up on it the last few days!
- Choose to be thankful rather than irritated. There were times over the holidays I was highly irritated with people, chores and activities to take care of. Being thankful is a better feeling. Working in a public school will bring irritation in the coming weeks heading into the long days of winter. I’m committing to an attitude of gratitude – it brings peace.
- Use my time wisely. During the snow days, I’ve accomplished a lot of things I wanted to get done in 2014 while still maintaining rest. Being balanced with rest and accomplishments bring rest to the mind, body and spirit.
What are things you can do to build a balance of rest into your life beyond vacation or snow days? I’d love to hear. I’m speaking at a retreat on balance later this month, and I’d love to hear your struggles and strategies for creating rest and balance in your life. How do you live a life of rest?
Tracy, I’ve seen your thankfulness and true encouragement as you’ve faced storms in your life. I am hoping I can remain thankful because it is a balm to the soul.
Of course, my day ALWAYS goes better and feels more productive and less stressful when I take time for prayer and devotions. Even if it is only for 5 or 10 minutes. At the end of a stressful and frazzled day, if I look back and wonder what went wrong with my mood, that is usually it.
Mine is, too, Lynn. I need to continue to remind myself to take time for restful prayer, too – not panic or prayers of “please help.” I’m trying to look at things half-full this year.
Hi Brenda, it is great to read this. Sometimes its the peace and contentment in the middle of the daily storm is the greatest miracle. And too, thankfulness! Wow, thankfulness has great power!
God bless my friend
Tracy