When we resist rest <3
I had a thought all ready, to end this week and then God scrapped it this morning and you can just stop and give Him a high-five because it was long and complicated and this one is just short and sweet.
As you may know, most Tuesdays and Thursdays I get to go spend either a half or whole day with our four grandchildren while mom and dad are working.
Either way, I usually end up with the nap time routine.
Caroline never stops moving and talking from the moment she rolls out of bed in the morning, so she goes out pretty quickly.
Joel, however, is convinced he doesn’t need a nap but his behavior without one convinces us he does.
We read a couple of stories and we turn out the light.
As he gathers his blankets and stuffed animals close, I tell him the longest, most boring story I can make up and then depending on how tired he is, he fights it or drops off to sleep.
If you have ever spent two minutes with a preschooler it will come as no surprise that it is when he is MOST tired, that he fights sleep with the most wiggles and energy.
Mildly tired Joel will gently drift off somewhere mid-story.
Over tired Joel will use every last ounce of mental strength to force his body to remain in movement of some kind.
His feet keep inching to the edge of the bed, his droopy eyes are held open in a stubborn stare. His shoulders are tensely hunched and drawing tight as I rub his back, until finally I have to tell him he HAS to lay still.
Perhaps because he is the third child, he doesn’t realize I have no power over him to actually stop him from wiggling and so eventually his still body no longer resists sleep and his breathing relaxes and he rests.
I look at those lashes laying on chubby cheeks and watch his chest rise and fall so peacefully and wonder why he didn’t choose this path to begin with.
I sense God often looks at me and wonders the same thing.
Every invitation to encounter God through Christ involves a promise of peace and rest.
Come to Me, all you who are heavy laden…weary….burdened…and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Let the peace of Christ rule in you hearts…you were called to peace…be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Cast your anxieties on to Him…he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Take my yoke upon you…learn from Me…for I am gentle and humble in heart…and you will find rest for your souls. 2 Corinthians 4:16
When we are resisting rest…when we are striving and pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion…when we are tense and in constant motion…it is difficult to feel God’s love and peace and comfort and rest.
Yes, we must work hard and put good effort into our tasks, but don’t forget to rest.
Everything that needs to be done will still be there after you are refreshed.
Enjoy some rest this weekend. You and your loved ones will be so thankful if you do <3