A Prayer for Rest by Jocelyn Faire

  Thou has made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.

Augustine of Hippo

                         

When I signed up for this rest-focused blog, I had something else in mind. This prayer came out of a very busy summer month, catching a nasty cold and preparing for a step-son's wedding.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him ...

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.    

(From Psalm 62 NIV)

A Prayer for Rest:

Dear God,

I'm feeling kind of weary ...

I don't mean to complain, but I need to pour out my heart somewhere ...

I'm tired, weary and heavy laden,

weary of running after things, headlines, new passwords for technology.

Tired of learning new operating systems—can't anything stay the same?

I'm tired of the pressure to perform, the need to be productive,

I'm tired of being tired and feeling past my best before date.

Let me find my rest in thee.

I see exhaustion in so many eyes, drooped shoulders from stress and lack of sleep  

and the struggle to keep on top of things ... do these things really matter that much?

I'm tired of witnessing missionary zeal burn itself out with good deeds

while the darkness closes in.

I'm tired of criticism, cynicism, racism, apathy and the evening news.

I'm tired of Covid, the heat, the smoke, and the forest fires burning,

Is there a soul or tree left unscorched?

Let me find my rest in thee.

I'm tired of overfed bodies, starved souls; because we misread our need.

I'm tired of striving, when I know I should and long to be still.

Weary that there is always more to do, than time for it.

Dear God, I'm tired of grieving, I'm tired of good-byes,

tired of questions and doubts, of wondering if you know what's going on down here.

I'm tired of unanswered prayers and the need to cover for you.

Tired of being told I should be grateful—I know I should be, and I am grateful!

Let me find my rest in thee.

Sometimes I wonder if you know what's going on down here.

Can we sit down and have a good chat?

I'm tired of feeling that I'm in a one-sided conversation in my head.

I don't think I'm alone God ... Did you mean it when you said

we should come to you when we're heavy laden and in need of rest?

If so, why are we struggling to find you and the rest?

The world and your people are in need of a serious sabbatical.

Let us find our rest in thee.

I often think of my daughter and her family, working overseas, seeing her exhaustion; the bone-tired weariness built over years that is helped but not resolved by a vacation. I know there are seasons of weariness, they too shall pass as we are refreshed in spirit.

A response verse to the prayer:

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 NIV

Are You Ready for Fall Conference?

 YES!!!

Fall Conference will be live this year in Edmonton at the Providence Renewal Centre. If you haven't registered yet, visit our website. It looks like a fantastic line-up including our keynote, poet DS Martin.

AND... we ARE offering a virtual option! Check the website for details!

Here is the link:  

https://inscribe.org/events/fall-conference

See you there!

Larry Williams: "Slow Down" - Bruce Atchison

This fifties song, later covered by The Beatles, fits the monthly theme nicely. It's about a girl who's too eager to rush the relationship onward. I suspect she wanted to marry the guy in the song.

Check out this rock 'n' roll song here:

In our Christian walk, we're too much in a hurry to spread the good news before we know what we're talking about. Just like in the New Testament, people disobeyed the Lord's command to not publish their healing all over the place. Poor Jesus ended up unable to move around due to the crush of people wanting healing.

We read of one example in Mark 7:36. The Bible in Basic English phrases it like this, "And he gave them orders not to give news of it to anyone; but the more he made this request, so much the more they made it public."

We also read how Christ's popularity caused four men to do a novel thing for their lame companion. Mark 2:1-4 (BBE) tells the story. "And when he came into Capernaum again after some days, the news went about that he was in the house. And a great number had come together, so that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door: and he gave them teaching. And four men came to him with one on a bed who had no power of moving. And when they were unable to get near him because of all the people, they got the roof uncovered where he was: and when it was broken up, they let down the bed on which the man was."

Our Lord realized that most of the people came only for the healing and other miracles. So he preached a hard sermon which they found repulsive. John 6:61 and 62 (BBE) reads, "When Jesus became conscious that his disciples were protesting about what he said, he said to them, 'Does this give you trouble? What then will you say if you see the Son of man going up to where he was before?'"

Israel stumbled because they didn't understand God's righteousness. That's why Paul wrote in Romans 10:2 and 3 (BBE), "For I give witness of them that they have a strong desire for God, but not with knowledge. Because, not having knowledge of God's righteousness, and desiring to give effect to their righteousness, they have not put themselves under the righteousness of God."

We don't want to bring shame to Christ's name through our haste. That's why Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15 (BBE), "Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way."

Seasons of Rest by Lorilee Guenter

 

Parched, like a drought stricken land, the ideas sit half formed. They wait for a gentle rain to grow and burst into bloom. This summer my yard has been parched. I've tried to keep some of it watered using an often empty rain barrel and a garden hose. It is not the same as a gentle rain for creating summer abundance. So too the landscape of my mind has felt dry. I've tried to keep pieces of creativity alive, watering them with walks in God's creation, praise music and more. It is not the same as a season of creative abundance.

I recently realised there is a pattern, a rhythm, to my creative year, just as there is a rhythm to the seasons. In nature, winter is a season of dormancy, a season of rest. The perennials rest under sheets of leaves and blankets of snow. They are not dead. They await their next season of growth. Summer is my season of creative dormancy. The abundant colour, sights and sounds of the garden pull me outside. Trails entice us to take a hike. They refresh. Like a houseplant flowering in January, there are glimpses of the season to come. 

Many times I have tried to force the season of abundant creativity to continue, just as I tried this year to overcome the drought. It does not work. Rest and renewal are necessary pieces of life. Without them we struggle and wither. But God does not leave us there. He walks with us, caring for us, as He tends to our needs as the Master Gardener, the Loving Father.

As summer gives way to fall, I notice the ideas start to sprout. The time of rest starts to give way to the time of growth. Maybe next time I won't resist the rest quite so much. Instead I will attempt to savour the January blossom as a reminder of what is to come.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Lorilee Guenter is a writer and artist who enjoys gardening and hiking. Sometimes she can be stubborn and miss the gift that is in front of her by trying to do things her own way.

Rest by Sharon Heagy

                          

The shortened CFL season (Canadian Football League) is currently underway so I am watching two games today. One game I will watch with the passion of a fan. I will watch the other trying to spot some family members. I am hoping to pause the play, snap a photo of the TV screen and send the pic to my nephew and thereby bring a thrill my great niece who is sitting in the stands. As the players huff and grunt and thump and bump with each other and the ground, you can almost hear muscles tearing and bruises forming. They will need to rest to heal their bodies before they can compete again.

There are varying sorts of rests. In music, the rest exists for dramatic pause or to affect the flow. The ‘selah’ of the Psalms leads us to reflect on the words we have just read. In literature, punctuation provides pauses for the same reasons listed above but also for clarification and context.

The human body also needs rest to keep it flowing. It’s the way we are designed and without it, we would collapse and be forced to rest whether we like it or not. We need rest for the regeneration of cells and to recharge our energy. It is healthy to rest.

Then there is eternal rest when we pass away, when there is nothing left for which to strive.

But there is another kind of rest for this present moment. A true rest. A peace amid chaos. The kind of rest that requires faith. The kind that allowed Jesus to sleep in the boat in the middle of a storm.  It is to rest in the Lord. For though we need a break physically for our bodies, we also need rejuvenation for our souls and spirits and that rest can only be found in Him.

That leads to the question, ‘how’? I have no idea what Godly rest for you would be, but I can offer suggestions of what helps me to refresh my soul and spirit and perhaps see things from His perspective rather than my own. It should be simple but it requires intentionality and practice.

1. Spend quiet time with God. Read his word and listen for His voice to speak to you however He communicates with you.  Allow the Holy Spirit to wash over you and bathe you in refreshing, restorative rushing waters. Let the Word cut to the heart of the matter and show us God’s perspective and where we may be off track. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The hard part is to empty our minds of all the anxious thoughts and things on our to-do lists, but the more we practice the easier it gets. And if we learn to hear Him when it is quiet, we will recognize His voice when worry and stress start bubbling up inside and He is trying to intervene and give us peace and perspective.

2. Listen to worship music, especially the pieces based on scripture. Let the living Word fill the nooks and crannies of our heart and push out any crud that has built up, like cleaning fluid flushes out a plugged carburetor.

3. Learn to ask God first before you say, ‘Yes’. Many of us need to learn to say ‘No’. God gives us strength and energy for each day. Sometimes we need to let go of activities that sap our strength and leave little for what God would have us do. Those things ‘He planned in advance’.[i] If we are off doing our own thing it can put us off the path God wants us to walk and we will be exhausted and frustrated. There is a plethora of verses in the Bible that speak about the vanity of our striving without God. It’s totally useless and fruitless.

Rest. Sometimes it seems so elusive as we push through another project, another season, another day, but it just might be one of the most important things we can do to be our most productive, most excellent, most faith-filled selves as we serve Him.

Listen, He is calling you to Himself. To rest, renewal and refreshing so that you may be used fully, as His instrument.

 

---

[i] See Ephesians 2:8-10

Discovering Soul Rest ~ Valerie Ronald

A few minutes early for my appointment, I waited in my car. Heart pounding, hands shaking, I took some deep breaths and prayed. I was about to see a lawyer about the dissolution of my first marriage. The conflict, trauma and stress leading to this decision still affected me physically and emotionally, yet after I prayed I felt a stillness settle over my soul. A deep, calming peace beyond my understanding kept my thoughts and heart quiet and at rest as I trusted in Christ to see me through.

Soul rest goes beyond rest experienced by merely ceasing from outward activity. It is possible to experience soul rest even in the midst of an exhausting situation or overwhelming circumstances. What this looks like for me is an internal step back from all the outer stimuli and demands to that deep, secret place where God meets me in the quiet. He promises to keep in perfect peace those whose desire rests on Him, because they trust in Him. Rest is not found in perfect situations but in the only perfectly safe Person. Jesus invites the weary and burdened,“Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” (Matt. 11:28-29 The Message)

 I have become more aware of soul rest as I’ve grown older. I find I no longer feel the need to constantly engage in social situations or participate like everyone else. In my mind, I find a chair at the back of the room where I can sit and enjoy the view. It rests my soul to see an elderly couple holding hands ˗˗ a father tenderly kissing the top of his baby’s head ˗˗ two friends laughing together. In everyday scenes these shining moments bring joy and rest to my soul as I experience them with Spirit-filled eyes.

When my soul is at rest in my Savior, the drive to measure up, to belong, to achieve in the eyes of others is replaced with a settled confidence in who I am in Christ. I know where I’ve come from, Whose hand has saved me and what awaits me in the future. Such absolute surety leads to the sweetest rest for my soul.

Soul rest is a gift from God, but there is something He requires from me before it is given. Unless I surrender totally to Him, follow Him in obedience and trust Him implicitly, my soul will continue to be restless. There is a direct link between my surrender to God and the rest I receive from God.

Surrendering to God, knowing I am safe with Him, brings serenity even when life is chaotic and painful. How does this sense of safety and security with God happen? The secret is tucked away in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. When the nation of Israel had its back turned on God in rebellion and disobedience, He reminded them, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jer. 6:16 NIV)

The ancient paths, where the good way is, lie between the pages of God’s Word. There He reveals His perfect character, plan and purposes for the salvation of our souls. Walking those ancient paths with a desire to know God intimately, I find rest for my soul because I know I can safely surrender all to my Savior.

So how does soul rest impact my writing? Without it I would be constantly taken up with all the little fires needing to be put out, with imperfections staring me in the face, with the weariness of this world. When God prompts me to write for Him, I go to that secret place of the soul where I find rest and inspiration. He speaks to me there, unhurriedly, gently, gifting me with ideas and words I know come from His own heart. Even when I am busy or distracted, those words germinate and grow in my soul, sending shoots to the creative part of my brain where they bloom and bear fruit as words on the page. Soul rest is a necessity if I am to be obedient to my calling as a writer. As this beautiful hymn expresses, quiet rest is found only near to the heart of God. 

There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.

(Near to the Heart of God by Cleland Boyd McAfee ~ 1903 ~ public domain) 

Valerie Ronald lives in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She is a graduate of Vancouver's Langara College journalism program, and has worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance writer, public speaker and bookstore employee. She writes devotionals for her home church bulletins and her online blog. Her current book project chronicles how God's faithfulness saw her through the dark valleys of divorce and cancer. Along with her husband, Valerie enjoys spending time with their blended family and six grandchildren. She is a nature photographer, water colorist, cat lover and Scrabble addict.
More of her devotionals can be read on her blog   https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com

Finding Rest, Silence, and Stillness by Alan Anderson

 

In reading the InScribe blog posts for this month, we are aware of the importance of rest in our lives. A key Bible passage for the theme of rest is Matthew 11:28 which states,

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)

 

 

A 21^st Century Rendition of Matthew 11: 28.

“Come to me, if you have time to hang out for a second or so, all you who are looking for something else to do, and I will give you a list of errands to keep you busy.”

 

As I contemplated Matthew’s words, I had to step back and ask myself if I believed this statement. There is a time in my life when I wonder if I did. The rendition I wrote of Matt. 11:28 reflects how I used to live. How about you? Can you relate?

 

Around October 1997, I experienced a period of burnout. This was like spending life in a dark tunnel groping about as a blind man in unfamiliar territory. As a bi-vocational pastor, I worked full time as a school custodian to support my family. I devoted several hours per day to my church ministry. In addition, I studied for a Master’s degree to develop my ministry skills. After a few years of this pressure, I crashed and burned.

 

Experience with burnout resulted in my decision to change where I wanted my energy to focus. I realized in this time I lost a balance between labour, rest, and God. This period of burnout provided an opportunity to continue to serve, but in another context of ministry. First, I had to rest.

 

My period of rest included separation from pastoral ministry. I carried on with my studies and my full-time employment. Through a more contemplative approach to ministry, I looked to God for direction. Here is some of what I learned at this time in my life.

 

Rest, Silence, and Stillness

If I did not come to this place of burnout, I would have missed the blessing of rest, silence, and stillness. Rest helps our bodies to slow down and relax. This physical rest helps our mind, heart, and spirit. Through rest, we can discover the gift of silence. Silence calms us from listening to the all-consuming voices of the world. Silence leads the way to an inner ability to be still. In stillness, we can listen to God. As you may already know, this is not a simple process to follow.

 

Over the years of interacting with people, I encountered many Christians who were just plain tired. Even pastor burnout is not uncommon. We can speak of rest, yet not practice it. We may use triumphant language, yet neglect to listen to God. This is a recipe for busyness without blessing.

 

Please allow yourself to at least consider these final thoughts:

• ·       Make room for rest without allowing excuses to dictate.
• ·       When others lose their peace and turn to fear, we can rest and be calm.
• ·       Embrace silence and allow this gift to hold you as well.
• ·       In stillness, we can listen to God with assurance He listens to us.

 

 

 

 

Alan lives in Deroche, B.C. with his wife, Terry. He contributed stories to Good Grief People by Angel Hope Publishing, 2017 ; Story by Story: The Power of a Writer, Unstoppable Writers Publishing, 2018, and . Alan has also written articles for FellowScript Magazine. Blog: https://scarredjoy.ca. Alan is the Provincial Rep. Liaison and BC Rep for InScribe.

 

Even the Wind and the Waves - Gloria Guest

I've had a stormy week. I did not want to write this blog post at all, until I decided to just share what's on my heart. Most of you know that I'm a past reporter and a prolific reader, watcher and listener of world events, including events here in Canada. Some of you know that I'm a military mom; our youngest son, now 31 years old, has served in the Canadian Military since he was 18. 

He missed having to go to Afghanistan by one year, as he took a year at the Royal Military College, before deciding that he would rather go the non-commissioned route. As his parents, we have often wondered at the incredible timing of that. If not for that one year of school, he would have most likely been on one of the last tours to Afghanistan, before Canada withdrew. Would he have come back? And if he had come back, would he have come back the same? What would it have been like for us as parents to know our son was in a combat zone, overseas? We were so thankful that we never had to go through that. 

Since then, he has done two tours to Latvia, where he was a part of the NATO forces training Latvian soldiers to defend against Russian forces, and helped to secure the border. At no time was he in combat. Still, it wasn't easy; we knew the training could be dangerous, there are always the questions of 'what if?' He came home mid-July after serving six months and we breathed a sigh of relief knowing he was back on Canadian soil. 

 We all have heard about the tumultuous and dangerous withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, this past week. For me as a military parent, I've found my heart stirred many times, thinking of those who served, those who died, those who were injured, and all of the parents. What must they be feeling to see things end in such a way? I read of an American mother who held up her picture of her then 19 year old son, who would now be 31 (just like our son), who was killed on tour over there, at that young age. She said that she cannot bring herself to say that it was all for nothing, even though many of them are feeling that way. I can't imagine. Or the turmoil in the hearts of those who fought and lost their buddies over there. What tortuous memories have resurfaced for them? I've read that many are struggling. 

Then there are the Afghan soldiers who helped our troops as interpreters and in various other roles, who have been left behind to most likely be killed, along with their families. This was never supposed to happen. Promises were made and broken. I've since read that more effort is in the works to bring them out. However, time is running out. It was never properly planned. It was a debacle of the worst kind. 

And so, my heart has not been at peace this past week. Not. At. All. But there is this. All week, and even last week, perhaps in preparation for this week's news, I've been thinking of the scripture portion where the disciples are crossing the water with Jesus, and a huge storm rolls in. They are petrified. Yet when they look around, they discover Jesus, is sleeping through it all!! This is unacceptable to them and they wake him, shouting at him, that they were going to drown. He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds the waves obey him.

Even the wind and the waves…. It sounds like Jesus speaks to them as foolish children. 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Jesus was not afraid. He slept, knowing that His Father had it all in control. And then to show them the truth, he simply rebukes the winds and waves. Just. Like. That. 

And so, with that in mind, where does that leave my tormented heart at the end of this week, with all of the what ifs? Believe me, with the state that this world is in, a military mom can come up with a lot of them. I feel like the disciples. 'Jesus, why are you sleeping?! Don’t you see me drowning here?’ Just as Jesus responded to their fears, he responds to mine. When I truly listen, truly call out to him even in a panic, he does calm the wind and waves of my heart. Often, he reminds me of when our son was born, and how when I first held him, I had such a sense of his inner strength and heard God whisper into my mother's heart, that someday that strength would be required of him. My baby. I did not know what it meant. I still don't totally. Yet God gave him that strength and God will carry him through wherever he takes him, and my heart that goes along with him. Thanks for letting me share my heart.

Gloria Guest writes and blogs from her home in Caron, Sk. As a past reporter, she has written thousands of newspaper articles and written many lifestyle columns for various publications. She is a prolific reader of world events and deeply interested in social issues, which are often reflected in her writings. Currently, she is enrolled at Simon Fraser University, working towards obtaining her Editing Certificate. (Sorry, but she was too tired to edit this post to at :D - she's still in training ;)

Fresh and New By Vickie Stam

 Life can get busy. It can get noisy, even overwhelming at times. And yet, if we allow ourselves a moment to breathe we realize that so many wonderful things can happen in a short amount of time. 

When I feed my dog a treat, he often doesn't chew it first - he simply swallows it. My reaction is to ask him, "did you even taste it?" I'm disappointed that he didn't take the time to enjoy it - to savour it. In a nanosecond his treat was gone. I can hardly believe he enjoyed it. 

Some days I feel this way about life and all of its busyness. The day felt like it just vanished. Did I even hear God's whispers of love, sense his presence, or take a moment to pray? 

If you've ever watched the sunset, you know it doesn't take long for it to fully disappear once it has already touched the horizon. A cheetah can reach speeds of 95 kilometres per hour and Gale refers to a current more generally known as a strong wind. A sunset is gorgeous. A cheetah's speed is amazing. But, Gale force winds can be dangerous and destructive. 

It's true, a busy life can also be catastrophic. God doesn't want this for us. He wants us to draw near to him, need him, desire to know him, and take time to rest in him. For the past year and half the world has been a different place. Some of us have rested more than we ever would have if it were not for Covid-19. 

Some of us embraced the time alone and used it to revitalize our soul and find rest. For me it has felt like a long and unusual rest - different to say the least, but through it all the busyness was cast aside. At first it was not a great feeling. I had to learn how to find other ways to engage with family and friends. And the  the most difficult all of - learn how to be alone.

When I look back over this period of time I see God working in the midst of it all. He showed me how much we need each other and how disconnected we have become by keeping busy. We are surrounded by a constant need to perform and are dominated by a culture that is overrun by social media. At times we feel pressured to be someone that we're not - the super-parent, the volunteer that won't say no, the person that works endless hours. 

I don't enjoy being that busy. Somewhere in-between feels fresh and new. It's okay to engage in self-care. Savor the time to look and see, to stop and breathe, to listen and hear and to rest. Don't get swallowed up by busyness.    

The Rhythm of Rest - guest post by Christine Smith

 “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

The dictionary defines rest as the state of inactivity during which the body and mind become refreshed.  As I think about my slower summer rhythm, I realize it is more restful than my regular routine because I have a break from some of my activities. My duties as a teacher are put on hold and my parenting responsibilities decrease.  God created us to need rest.  Like a good teacher, He also modeled resting for us. After God created the world and all of creation in six days, He rested for one day. When Jesus walked on this earth, He regularly left his work to be alone, pray, and sometimes sleep.

For me, the first step in resting is to stop certain activities. Stop standing and sit down.  Stop working and sleep.  Reflecting on rest as stopping has caused me to think of the rests in music.  Musical rests signal an instrument or voice should stop for a short or long time. These rests shape the music, adding beauty, excitement, and intrigue to the song.

Examining the different musical rests can serve as a good reminder of the different kinds of rest we need. Eighth rests are short, barely there, like catching our breath.  This can be like taking a break from our work to grab more water, a coffee, or a snack. Quarter rests are more significant.  I have learned from sitting with children as they learn to play piano that a quarter rest requires some counting practice.  Over time, however, a musician can feel the quarter beat and it becomes a more regular rhythm, like getting enough sleep to restore our bodies or making a habit of regulating how many sweets we eat to help us stay healthy. 

A half rest is longer.  It reminds me of practicing a regular Sabbath.  About ten years ago, I became convicted that somehow in my spiritual life I had overlooked the command of Sabbath.  I was raised with this concept but somehow as an adult, where stores were open on Sundays and part-time jobs required Sunday work, I forgot how important a weekly rest is and that it is a command, not a suggestion.  After a few bumpy years of practice, Sabbath has taught me how to rest and has become a regular habit that I now look forward to and delight in. Sabbath rest is essential because it recharges me and gives me new perspective.

The last type of rest is the whole rest, not playing for a whole measure.  This is the kind of rest during a busy, tiring season that I yearn for and look forward to.  This rest is longer, extended.  It allows us to stop our hustle and bustle to either be still and do nothing or allow new activities to fill that space, just like when some instruments in an orchestra stop so that others take the melody.  For me, this rest comes on a holiday, where I leave many responsibilities at home and instead enjoy extended time reading, playing with my family, and delighting in a different corner of God’s magnificent creation.

Just like the psalmist prayed in Psalm 90:17, we need to ask God to establish the work of our hands, including the breaks that enable our work to continue and be fruitful.  When we accept the pauses the Holy Spirit leads us to take, our souls will be restored and the rhythm of work and rest will create beautiful melodies in our lives. 

Which type of rest might the Lord be asking you to practice in this season of your life? It is my prayer that He will help you discern which green pasture and still waters He is calling you to today.

More than a Suggestion - Tracy Krauss

Bob Jones quoted poet Edgar A. Guest in his post this month: "Rest if you must, but don't you quit". I LOVE that! I also appreciated his mention of Carol Tice's exhortation to take a complete Sabbath rest. 

I'd like to expand on that thought... 

Her words ring true because they come straight from the heart of God. Think about it. God didn't suggest we take a Sabbath rest. He commanded it. It's right there with "Thou shalt not kill... steal...commit adultery..." So why do so many Christians (myself included) downplay--or even ignore altogether--this command? 

We can blame a busy life, our work schedule, not enough hours in a day, or any number of excuses. I'm not judging. All these things are true. God knows we tend to overcommit.

Which is kind of the point. God knows we NEED a Sabbath rest in order to be more productive the rest of the week. Without a day to rest and recharge, we deplete ourselves to the point that we just aren't able to keep up. And then we crash.

Taking a Sabbath rest is one of those Biblical principles that doesn't make sense in the natural realm. If I don't have enough time to do everything, how is taking a day off going to help? It sounds counter-productive.

Well, it's very similar to another principle: tithing. How can people who are strapped for cash afford to tithe? If you don't have enough money to pay your bills, giving away ten percent of your income sounds ridiculous. It's just not sensible. 

Except... in God's supernatural realm, it opens up the windows of heaven for even more blessings. In my lifetime, my husband and I have been dirt poor more than once. We could barely put food on the table. But what little we did have, we tithed. We never starved and we never had to sleep on the street. In fact, more than once we received unexpected money or anonymous gifts. We never went without, even though we faced some really hard times. So we keep on giving... and God has continued to bless us beyond what we deserve. Tithing doesn't make sense, but God honors those who do it. (And tithing isn't one of the ten commandments, like taking a Sabbath rest is. Just a side note...) 

It all points back to the principle of reaping what we sow. If we give generously, then we are rewarded generously. I believe this same principle can be applied to our time.

Can't find enough time in the week? Start taking a day off. Seriously. Despite the counter-intuitive nature of such action, it actually works. What time you do have will be much more productive. Chores get done more efficiently. Life runs more smoothly. Give God the Sabbath and He will honor the rest. 

I realize this isn't a popular notion in today's culture. We are very used to hoarding our time. And for the record, I'm not talking about some kind of legalism. God didn't institute a day of rest because He wanted to punish us or because He is a fun-sucker. It is actually for our benefit. You don't have to spend the entire day reading the Bible and praying, but as Carol Tice said (referencing Bob's post again) don't do any work and don't THINK about work. If that means staying away from technology, then so be it. 

Resting one day a week is more than a suggestion. It is a recipe for a happier, healthier, more productive life. Why not give it a try?

Tracy Krauss writes - and rests - from her home in Tumbler Ridge, BC. She has many books and plays in print and is currently serving as Inscribe's president. For more visit her website: tracykrauss.com  

August Mid-Month Moments by Connie Inglis

 Mid-Month Moments

A few months ago, my niece, who loves animal trivia, began talking about her recent fascination with hummingbirds. For instance, a hummingbird's wings flap an average of 60-80 times per SECOND, and their hearts beat an average of 1,260 times per minute. As well, they consume twice their body weight in nectar per day. Can you imagine eating that much?!

So, when a hummingbird arrived at my bright-pink calibrachoa flowers recently while I was out on the front porch having my morning devotions, I began thinking about this little bird--how it silently zips from flower to flower, seeking nectar out of necessity, and then it's gone..

And that got me thinking about silence vs stillness, and the difference when it comes to our spiritual lives because, even though that hummingbird was silent, it was far from being still.

Here are the two definitions according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

Silence: 1. forbearance from speech or noise; 2. absence of sound or noise

Stillness: a state of freedom from storm or disturbance

God calls us to the latter (although often the former is needed). Psalm 46:10 (NIV) says, ""Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

The NASB Bible translates that first command as, "Cease striving."

I don't know about you but there are times when I wake in the dead of night, in the silence, and though my body remains quiet, my mind is suddenly far from being still. I worry. I make plans. I fear.

We read in Exodus 14 the story of the Israelites fleeing from Pharaoh and his armies only to arrive at the Red Sea with no way to cross. They are forced to physically stop.(It's also night, according to vs.20.) But are they still? No, They are talking: murmuring, grumbling, complaining. They are worried. They are fearful. They wish they were back in Egypt. Oh those Israelites. But wait--oh how I can find myself in that same place.

And Moses speaks out for God. Ex. 14:13,14: Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

And, throughout the night, God moved and worked and revealed His power. He re-positioned His pillar of cloud and fire behind the Israelite camp, still offering light for the Isrealites but becoming a cloak of darkness for the Egyptians. I love that image! Then, throughout the night (vs. 21), He drove the sea back to create the Israelites' path to freedom. Then, just before dawn, God looks down through the pillar and throws the Egyptian armies into confusion. While that's going on, He commands Moses to close the sea and the entire army that had gone down into the sea, drowned.

And why did God do this? In verse four, God says,"I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." And verse 31 says, "the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant."

That same God fights for us, we need only be still. We need only trust in Him and let Him reveal His glory. Even in the dead of night, He is moving and working. Again, we need only be still and trust in that same God that rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians that day (and night).

Isaiah 26: 3,4,8,12:

You will keep in perfect peace

    those whose minds are steadfast,

    because they trust in you.

4 Trust in the Lord forever,

    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

8 Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,

    we wait for you;

your name and renown

    are the desire of our hearts.

12 Lord, you establish peace for us;

    all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

My prayer for us all is that we will be still - that our hearts and minds will trust; whether it's in the dead of night or in the activities of the day (yes, even in our activity we can have a still heart and mind), may we be people of peace, not striving or fretting or fearing. But resting. Because God is on our side. He is behind us and with us and before us. May we all live our lives from that place of peace.

Resting, resting,

Connie

August 30, 2018

Mid-Month Moments are past devotionals written by Connie Inglis that she shared each week when she was InScribe's spiritual advisor. (Originally called 'Mid-Week Moments') They are shared from her archives with permission in the middle of each month. 

A Time to Rest: Five Blessings of Rest by Wendy L. Macdonald

 

I have no idea how this blog post is going to turn out. I’m writing the first draft of it while my body, soul, and mind are craving God’s rest during an upheaval in our family.

Maybe what I mine today will bring peace of mind to whoever happens to need it and read it.

I know I need it. A. Lot.

I’m not too worried though; I’ve been on this particular burden bus before. We’re to cast our troubles out the window and allow God to handle them.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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 11:28-30 NIV 

When we’re burdened as walkers with Christ and writers of Light, the best thing we can do is to rest in Jesus. The more we work, the more we’ll hurt. And possibly hurt others. Overtaxed people can be taxing to be around (grumpy). Here’s a list I made up as I thought about the blessings of having time to rest. 

1. Rest restores and recharges our body.

2. Rest restores and renews our mind.

3. Rest restores and refills our soul

4. Rest restores and realigns our calling.

5. Rest restores and redirects our passion.

Now let’s delve into this list.

1. Rest restores and recharges our body when we remember we’re made of dust (after all, God remembers). We’re not just doers, we’re beings who get run down and depleted of hope when we’re overworked. Are we getting enough sleep? I know I’m not. I confess that right here. I’ve been trying to keep up with everything as if there isn’t a humungous burden weighing me down. (The clock stops here. Tomorrow morning when I’m tempted to skimp on sleep, I’m going to roll over and go back to dreamland. The world won’t stop if I can’t keep up my old pace. But I may stop ticking.)   

2. Rest restores and renews our minds when we resist the temptation to keep working when we’re on the verge of burnout. After I wrote about needing more sleep, I heeded my advice from the above paragraph and have been feeling much better after a week of more sleep. It has invigorated my mind for writing, reading, crafting, and gardening. New ideas for podcast episodes and blog posts are flowing into the creative side of my brain again. I hadn’t realized how dried up I was until I rested.

3. Rest restores and refills our souls by giving us the necessary energy and alertness to spend quality time in the Word of God. Before I felt rested, my writing vault was empty. Normally I have a few new articles written and waiting. They were often inspired by Scripture passages I read and pondered during my quiet times. Unfortunately, it ran dry because I was burning more and more of my batteries and neglecting to recharge them. We’re spiritual beings with a physicality that requires proper care. Tired bodies make for weary brains and depressed spirits. (I was going to bed later due to family obligations and then getting up at my usual early hour. Not wise.) It’s better to have more sleep than more hours of the day. Exhausted workers don’t do quality work. This is true for writers too. (I found out the hard way.)

4. Rest restores and realigns our calling because we become still enough to hear what God is calling us to do each day. The more tired I get, the worse my hearing is. Busyness is like buzzing bees in my mind that make it hard for me to decipher between what’s important and what’s unimportant. We need peace in our minds if we’re to mind God’s calling in our lives. The world is distracting at best and destructive at worst when it comes to obeying the Lord. Good things aren’t good if they’re preventing us from fulfilling the meaningful plans He has for us.

5.     Rest restores and redirects our passion. That can be taken in so many ways. Whichever way you look at it though, it’s true. Rest is good for our hobbies, our occupations, and our relationships. We can’t hear the whispers of longings to connect with God and others if we’re overwhelmed with work. Rest takes us aside and reminds us what makes us feel most alive. For me, being connected in a meaningful way to God, my husband, my family, and my closest friend make me come alive to fresh ideas for everything from writing articles to cooking new recipes. Being rested enables me to not just read books, but be challenged and changed by them. Lately, I’ve been reading about how important beauty is to our lives (and to God). Before I gave rest as a priority, I was too tired to use a real teacup for my tea, put flowers from my garden on the table, or reply to messages in a timely manner. Being rested yields hope, peace, and joy because we are better able to live beautifully. Longings are within reach when we’re not too tired to reach for them. I needed to trim some daytime activities to enable me to get more sleep, but new growth has resulted in areas that were more important than what I pruned out. Praise the Lord for rest.

I hope I’ve encouraged you to have guilt-free rest. Writing this blog post opened my eyes to my need for more rest through sleep. Now when I do have an occasional bout of insomnia, it won’t beat me up as bad since I’ll be well-rested. 

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

Blessings of rest ~ Wendy Mac   

I'm nosy-to-know if you have any blessings of rest to add to this list? 

Enough is Enough by Eunice Cooper-Matchett

Sometimes, enough is simply enough, and last week, I learned the importance of those words. 

A camp-out wedding approached. Being the person who offers before thinking, I’d volunteered to make a chili, a cheesecake, and a pistachio salad. Sounds simple. Shouldn’t take long at all. Except, I voiced my good intentions before I considered the wedding was on a Saturday. And that’s the day I’ve cleaned my house for over sixty years, and I’m so routine orientated that if I can’t do it Saturday, I must do it Friday, or the rest of my week goes topsy-turvy. 

The folly of my quick, unthought-out response hit me like a March wind. But I’m tough, and there is always a way. I’d just get up earlier, clean the house, then make the promised food. After that, I’d do the revisions on the next chapter of my WIP, which needed doing because if I missed a writing day, the clouds would fall. 

By ten a.m. Friday, my house, minus the kitchen, was clean, and only one load of laundry remained. I mentally patted my back as I removed all the meat the chili required from the fridge. Ground beef, steak, bacon, Italian sausage. All huge portions, because a hundred guests needed feeding. All needed precooking. 

Because of my small kitchen, and my apprehension of cooking two meats at once without burning one, I did them one by one. Time ticked by. So did my strength. But, by mid-afternoon, all ingredients were simmering happily in the portable oven. An hour later, the salad and cheesecake were setting in the fridge.

I had completed what seemed impossible the day before, but my strength deserted me on golden wings, leaving me feeling like a thin, holey dishrag that needed discarding. I slumped profusely-perspiring, heart-pounding, gasping for breath, into my recliner, wondering at what age my marbles deserted me. 

Then, my spirit fluttered, and I recognized that flutter. God was teaching me a lesson. One He had to sit me down long enough to get my attention. I’d made a wrong and thoughtless decision. Being so eager to please, I’d failed to count the costs. But God hadn’t. I heard His gentle correction loud and clear, reminding me enough was enough, and I’d overstepped my limitations once again, abusing the body He gave me to care for. 

His Word encourages us to come apart and rest. It even informs us God rested. So if God rested, how much more should we do the same? Exhausting myself is not honouring Him. Nor is allowing goals to control my life or considering lollygagging a waste of time. 

It took an exhausting day for me to learn to listen to God and my body. It emphasized the need for me to choose my commitments wisely, and it’s okay. God doesn’t want me running around trying to achieve the impossible. He needs me rested and ready to do the tasks He appoints me to accomplish. 

Laying Down the Burdens by Carol Harrison

 I am an over packer. You know, the person who packs way more in their suitcase than they could possibly use - just in case I need it. Over and over, I have returned from a trip promising to learn to leave more behind and not be burdened with a suitcase on the edge of being overweight. No more will I have to lug around things I didn't need in the first place. No more will I stress about whether the baggage handler will ask for more money or to repack my suitcase, leaving things behind, and have to do it in front of a line of other waiting passengers. 

Even traveling on the train where they allowed more baggage per person, I soon realized I needed to be able to look after that baggage at places we planned to stay for a few days. But traveling in my own vehicle might be the hardest place of all to keep that promise to myself about over packing. After all, what I don't use can just stay in the car can't it? 

Many times I have read the verses in Matthew 11: 28-30 where Jesus talks about burdens, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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."

Reading these words and even memorizing them years ago doesn't always mean they sink in. Too often I wrestle with hanging on to all the things that are weighing me down, that I think I need to accomplish, or that others expect me to do and be. Just like those over packed bags when I travel, my life has too much in it that chases away rest.

 In fact, too often restlessness invades my life. Appointments, expectations (both my own and what I think others expect of me), and obligations fill the hours of my day. Some weeks, it feels like those never allow a time to pause, reflect, and rest. Ideas flood my mind and the list of projects I long to tackle in writing, scrapbooking, and storytelling grows longer. How can it all fit, especially mixed in with all those expectations of daily living. Even during sleep, they invade, wake me up, and beg to be worked on. 

Instead of taking that to-do list to God and asking him to help me pare it down, to learn to

rest in His plan rather than trying to do it on my own, I wrestle against resting, against pausing to reflect, and against giving something up. I become like a stubborn child who wants to 'do it myself'. Why do I not remember to first go to Jesus, take time to sit at his feet and learn from him? Why don't I lay all the fears, burdens, frustrations, and uncertainties at the foot of the cross and then leave them there instead of insisting I can carry them all by myself? 

Rest. Getting rid of burdens. Trusting Jesus knows exactly what I need and will supply it at the appropriate time. These are the things I need to remember to do each day. Which project should I work on next? How to prioritize the to-do list? Some things can't be moved. Appointments must be kept, especially the medical ones. It takes asking some hard questions, having accountability partners, others praying with and for you, but first and foremost, seeking God and his direction. 

As I look at my long list of writing ideas and projects in various stages of completion, I have to evaluate why I want to do them. Am I doing it because someone has expected it of me or because the idea is one God planted in my mind that will not leave? Who will they benefit? Will they bring glory to God and point others to Jesus? I ask my prayer team to pray with me about each one of them. When the list is long and time feels limited, I need to ask myself if I am putting too many other things on my plate instead of working on the writing or am I simply procrastinating what I know I should be doing? Hard questions and many times I just don't want to honestly answer them. Yet when I do, I feel a release and an opportunity to rest. 

We all need to rest. Physically you realize the importance of this commodity when it is in short supply. I have struggled with health issues from time to time that make sleep and rest difficult and almost impossible at other times. The body grows weary but so does the mind and the emotions plummet into the depths of despair. I crave sleep - a restful, healing sleep which will allow me to function and to think. I struggle with the limitations and the piling up of a workload in all areas of my daily life. But I have no choice but to rest and wait for healing to take place. 

Spiritually we also need to rest. I need to pause in the busyness of life, grab my Bible and simply spend time with God, resting in his promises. I need to come and be refreshed, learn the lessons he is waiting to teach, and simply trust him with everything. 

My bags are packed to overflowing with things in everyday life that need attention plus all the stuff I long to do and writing projects waiting to be tackled. It's time to lay the burdens down and pick up only what God wants me to, when he wants me to. My mind still asks why it takes me so long to remember this lesson but I need to quit being impatient to rush ahead full steam when it is time to rest before another period of enforced resting takes place. I'm not strong enough to carry all this on my own. God never designed me that way.  I am grateful for his mercy and grace, his patience and his compassion as I learn to lay my burdens down, leave them there instead of picking them back up, and rest in Jesus.

Carol Harrison is a published author, inspirational speaker, and storyteller, who lives in Saskatoon. She loves to mentor others, learn about family history and stories, as well as read which not only helps her learn but relax and occasionally procrastinate too.

Finding Hope - guest post by Martina Keast

In this little red cabin,  you could easily spend time with God in prayerful, silent solitude to experience His rest. 

In 2002, I made drastic lifestyle changes. I travelled in a motor home to Ontario to visit with friends. The idea was to stay in Ontario for eight months. I hoped to meet God, really meet God during this time away from business and family. I felt Him drawing me to come and spend time with Him. 

At first, I camped for several weeks with my parents, and later with my sister Sabine who lived in Manitoba. I was extremely comfortable staying in the campground close to her restaurant. I helped out as much as I could, even though I was slow. Trained as an exceptional short-order cook in my youth, I was fast and often promoted to supervisor. Trauma, PTSD, panic and anxiety, divorce, bankruptcy, and the closure of my cleaning businesses left me spiritually, mentally, and emotionally broken. My mind could not cope. I could not follow through on a simple order. 

Physically, a freak car accident changed my life as I knew it. I am thankful a police officer and another person saw the entire event. The person who ran the red light was charged and held responsible. 

I put off travelling further because fear tortured me. The thoughts and images that lived in my mind prevented me from moving toward my God rendezvous. It felt safer to stay and be comfortable. I thank my sister Sabine for giving me the push to "Go." She wanted God's best for me and gave me good advice. I listened to my inner sense, "knowing" her direction was correct. 

That same night, I packed up my motor home and readied it for travel. I left early the following day. Once I decided to listen to her and continue, the darkness left my mind. On my journey, I sang with the tapes playing on the tape player. I talked with God – a lot. My heart felt free, except for the hidden yet unaddressed idols, sins, and unbelief. I also did not believe in God's unfailing love for me. There was no room in my heart for that yet. 

 I parked at Rushing River, Manitoba, and stayed overnight. I felt the presence of God very strongly while I stood on the park's bridge, looking into the river. The tears came and would not stop. I missed my girls. More than missing them, I missed myself. I did not know who I was and what had become of me. In all the years of crazy living, I did not rest. In the end, I worked 22-hour days, only sleeping in my vehicle or on couches while employees did the work. It wasn't easy to get reliable help during those days. 

Then it was on to Ontario. The closer I got to my destination, the more I felt the power and torment fear had over me leave. I was thrilled to overcome the voices which hindered me from following God. I was alone – a lot. My mind rested in His peace. 

Looking back now, I believe this seclusion was the beginning stage of building a more profound relationship with God. He called me to a unique dwelling place, this little red cabin. He wanted then and continues to enjoy a relationship with me. This relationship invites me to rest from people-pleasing, unrealistic expectations, and unattainable perfectionism. 

My Journal Entries September 2002

This must be a dream; me, sitting here in my full-length nylon camping chair on the deck of my rental cabin. The sun is partially peeking through the spruce tree at the end of the deck. The lake is peaceful. The odd bug hits the water and leaves a streak of moving water as it swims on. Two dogs, Buddy and Susie, are racing along the beach around the cabin into the water and then stopping at my chair on the deck. 

Buddy gives himself a good shake. “Go away,” I laugh. And off both dogs go.

A dream! Heaven must be peaceful and restful like this. There is only the noise of the dogs running, then splashing in the water, then coughing and running again. The occasional fly buzzes by and then peace.

In the distance, I hear a squirrel and a magpie—the water ripples toward the middle of the lake.  Buddy once again runs into the water, laps up a few drops, and off he goes. After blowing a bug off my arm and taking a sip of spring water, I again ask myself the question of how I ended up here in this paradise.

It is the most fantastic feeling to be stress-free, breathing in and out, actually feeling alive. A dragonfly whizzes past my ear, as I remember. Another day less than seven months ago, a time of profound sadness, where I was willing to give up my life to find peace and tranquillity.  I remember it well. The pain and the absolute hopelessness. 

Surrounded by both dogs circling the chair, teasing each other, ready to run again, I take another sip of water. I cannot help but notice the warmth of the sun on my left leg. The sun has moved a little past the tree trunk now. It is still covered a bit by branches.

The chirping of birds takes my attention for a few seconds before taking a deep breath to continue reminiscing. Oh, there is a squirrel.

Buddy lines up but decides it is more fun to find Susie and chase her around. Meanwhile, the squirrel runs across the roof behind me and continues in the trees. 

A couple of loons have landed on the lake, close to the other shore. Bobbing for their supper, they occasionally disappear. Oops, there is one back while the other disappears. 

Twisting the pen in my hand, I sit here quietly, listening to the flies, birds, dragonflies, and one dog.  He circles my chair and lies down. Susie must have gone home.

________________________

  These excerpts are taken from The Dwelling Place: Reflection on my Journey toward Spiritual Wholeness (unpublished) and Ties That Bind: A Collection of letters, poems and stories: tributes to family, especially mothers. Edmonton: PageMaster Publishing. 2016. Available with accompanying CD: Refuge in Praise, by A New Name. Prophetic Art by Lori Anne Youngman.  Martina Keast. Rivers of Grace. 2015 

Rest that Renews, Refreshes, and Recharges by Steph Beth Nickel

Since March 2020, I’ve slept more than ever. Although I didn’t feel depressed in the classic sense, it was evident that news of the pandemic and the lockdowns had an effect on my emotional well-being—as they did with pretty much everyone else in one way or another.

But was that rest invigorating? Not at all.

Even now, I find it hard to stay focused on the task before me. I’ve streamed more TV shows and watched more YouTube videos than is advisable. Needless to say, these activities (or lack thereof) haven’t refreshed or recharged me.

I had hoped to add 20,000 words to my YA speculative fiction novel during July. Nope! That didn’t happen. I did write several thousand words for my clients. So, there’s that.

So, if sleeping, watching TV, and binging YouTube aren’t the kind of rest writers need, what can renew and recharge us?

Healthy Food

We’ve all heard of “the COVID 19,” the weight many of us have gained over the last year and a half. The combination of inactivity, comfort food, and heavy heartedness has taken its toll. While there’s no need to beat ourselves up about it—and no benefit to be gained by doing so, eating healthy food will make us feel better long before it helps us shed that excess weight.

Lots of Water

Many of us have also decreased our water intake and increased our consumption of high calorie beverages. Not a fan of water from the tap? Caffeine-free, herbal tea counts, as does my favourite way to drink enough water, the many flavours of calorie-free sparkling water that are now available. I’m still drinking iced coffee and iced chai lattes, but I’m limiting those.

Adequate Physical Activity

You knew I was going to mention exercise. It really does go a long way to improve our mental well-being as well as our physical health. Now may not be the time to start a brand-new exercise routine, but going for a walk or a bike ride, getting out and playing catch with your kids, or going for a swim, may be just what you need. Personally, I love a good resistance workout, but I have to get back into the habit and take it slowly. There’s nothing like overdoing it to sabotage my efforts.

Fresh Air and Sunshine

No matter how much we love our home and our family, the past 17 months have shown us how much we need to leave our four walls from time to time. A walk in the fresh air will do wonders for our peace of mind as well as count toward the physical activity we need.

Social Interaction

Whether you’re an introvert or an extra-extrovert like me, you were made for social interaction. My hubby and I helped friends move recently, and when Sandra gave me a hug, I was flooded with the realization of just how much I’d been missing human contact. While you may not be a hugger, you may be surprised at just how big a void you’ve experienced because of the isolation. No wonder we’re tired and many of us haven’t been near as productive as we would have liked.

A Schedule

Sometimes, the extra motivation of a (flexible) schedule can keep us on track. Including “white space” on our schedule that we devote to those things that charge our batteries (i.e.: pleasure reading, listening to an educational/motivational podcast, working on one of our own creative projects, etc.) can go a long way to refreshing us.

And yes …

Consistent Sleep Habits

I’ve never been great at going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, but it’s a good habit to develop. As long as we’re getting adequate sleep and recharging with other forms of “rest,” we should have increasing stores of creative energy to get back to those projects that we may have set aside.

While some of these suggestions don’t sound like rest, if true rest is what renews, refreshes, and recharges us, we just may need to broaden our definition.