Hey Friend,
I have a confession to make. Until just a few years ago, I had never been to a nail salon to have a manicure or, of all indulgences, a mani-pedi. I seriously thought those were reserved for those who didn't do any work around the house or the yard. When reading the "Mother's Manual", I mistakenly read "martyr" instead of "mother".
On the rare occasion I'd treat myself to a coffee shop latte, I would see people sipping their specialty coffees as they placidly sat there reading a book or the newspaper. Really?? I wondered, how do people do this? Isn't the phrase "Idle hands are the devil's workshop" biblical?
Actually Thessalonians 3:11 says: "For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies."
The idleness that Paul was talking about was being a gossip or a busybody. If you were engaged in this idle behavior, you were wasting time that could have been used to help others and build God's kingdom.
Idleness is NOT the same as rest.
The Bible is very specific on advising people to rest and take a break from work - from hectic life. The very first example of this can be found in Genesis, Chapter 2.
And on the 7th day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested...Then God blessed the 7th day and sanctified it...
Sanctified = to make holy; set apart as sacred
If God needed time apart to recharge His batteries, was it pride that made me think that somehow I was the exception when it came to needing a rest? I think so. Proverbs tells us that "Pride goes before a fall (or before destruction)." How true. I would go and go and go and then burnout and be useless for long periods of time...that was my M.O. What's your mode of operation?
The shepherds rested their flocks - so does the Good Shepherd want us, his sheep, to rest.
Taking a little "Me Time" is far from selfish...it is God's will for us.
Don't believe me...
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:7)
Perhaps, this spoke to me the most:
And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest for a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. (Mark 6:31)
How many meals have you eaten standing up?
How many cups of tea have you savored sitting down?
Physical rest, Spiritual rest, Mental rest...they are not a luxury or an I'll fit it in if I get a chance...they are a NECESSITY!
I challenge you to write the words "Rest in Me" on a sticky note (or several sticky notes if you're like me) and post it somewhere you'll see it all the time.
Fridge, bathroom mirror, steering wheel, on the dog...
I also challenge you to make a list of the things YOU would like to do to take a little "me time" and rest as the Lord would have you rest. I'll get you started with some suggestions:
Knit or crochet
Take a bubble bath
Read a book
Take a walk
Go see a movie
Snap some pictures
Dance
Paint, sketch or draw
Play an instrument
Write something
Plant some flowers
Go to a sporting event and cheer
Learn a new language
Have coffee with a friend
Get your nails done (**note to self)
Sit in the sunlight
Lie on the sofa and daydream (aka do nothing)
Will you pray with me? Lord, help me to set aside my pride that tells me the world won't get along a little while without me while I rest in You. Help me to know, deep in my soul, that my worth does not come from what or how much I do, but from the simple fact that I am Yours. Enable me to know that I am better able to bless others if I take some regular "me time" which is not selfish. Thank you for this great big world that you have created for my good pleasure. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
In His love,
Bev
Comments: Many of you have told me that is next to impossible to comment on my blog - especially if you don't have a blog or a "Google" or "WordPress", etc. account. I want and need your input and feedback. I want to learn from you too! Question: Are you good at taking "me time"? Why or why not? How might your life look different if you did take more time for yourself?
Here's How:
Go to Comment section
It will say "Comment as: Select Profile"
Choose option Name/URL (Enter your name and leave blank the URL space)
Hit Continue
Hit Publish
Prove that you are not a robot by checking the "I'm not a robot box" lol. (it may ask you to type a number if it is suspicious you are a robot)
That's it...Yay!!
or
Choose option Anonymous if you don't wish to leave your name.
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