So I got to sleep through the night and wake up when I wanted the past two nights! That was pretty cool.
I have these friends I do bible study with a couple times a month. Between work and momming and wifing and lifing we end up pretty zonked each day. For the past two years, we’ve made it a point to get away and go to a place called Anapauo to rest.
If you google the meaning of anapauo, here’s what you’ll find…
1 to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength
2 to give rest, refresh, to give one’s self rest, take rest
3 to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation
A few days ago, Kyle asked me what we did last year. I told him nothing. I remember multiple times that the group of 13 girls sat in complete silence listening to the waves hit the bank of the lake.
What did we do this year? We collected our strength…we ceased from doing labor…we recovered…we kept quiet!
It was glorious!
If you were to hire a personal trainer, I’d venture to say that your plan would consist of rest days…because they know your body has to recover. We run ourselves ragged as moms and wives and employees and/or whatever else it may be, but Jesus said come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). This has meant so much more to me after actually experiencing what rest feels like. And not just any rest, but Jesus rest.
This weekend, all of us moms had to find someone to watch our kids. Dads tackling it alone, grandmas taking a shift, babysitters swapping out. Someone had to pick up the work so we could rest. The work didn’t go away, the struggle didn’t go away, the battling a 3-year-old didn’t go away…someone else took it on.
In our lives…our sin, our baggage, our guilt, our inadequacy, whatever your burden may be…Jesus takes the brunt of it! You rest in Him while He carries your burden. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30, NASB).
Just go rest a bit!
Bye friends!
P.S. Thanks to all the dads, grandmas, babysitters and Kim Murray for letting us soak up the goodness of resting before going back to the battle! 🙂