Day 360 - Keep it Going

"Ah the day after Christmas. For the most part we did what one should on the day after Christmas which is to let the kids play with their toys and go watch TV and relax."

Christmas is a time that can be a whirlwind of activity. People with young families or who have multiple events on Christmas day find themselves traveling from place to place and reliving the same experiences of opening gifts and eating too much with different family members and friends. There is nothing wrong with this. It can just be exhausting. Hosting the event can be just as taxing. Cleaning, cooking, setting the table, cleaning again, setting out desserts, cleaning again, opening gifts...cleaning again. You get the point. 

With all of the activity behind it is wise to take a brake and turn off the brain for a moment before you hit the new year with focus and intensity. 

In your rest there is still a work that has to be carried on. Never let up on the reason we celebrated Christmas. Jesus is still the reason for the season. Jesus is the reason for every day. Jesus is the reason for every season. We cannot rest or relax our faith and our daily walk with Him. 

Every day should be a Christmas day for us. It should be a celebration of God who loved us so much He sent Jesus to be with us. We now carry the presence of God in our hearts just like the manger carried the baby Jesus so long ago. 

Take a breath, watch a movie, relax, but be sure to keep it going. Talk about Jesus. Celebrate Him with your family. Enjoy His blessings and special moments each and every day. 

What are some ways we can keep the spirit of Christmas all year? How do we celebrate Jesus on a day that is not a holiday or church day?

Day 340 - Come Away

"Not a bad day after such a busy week. It was nice to relax and spend some time with Jess and the family."

After the fight is over it is time for a rest. We often go so hard and so long that we forget about ourselves. Recently I was in a crisis situation where there were trained professionals who counseled us to take breaks and make sure we eat. It seems so insignificant but it is essential to have some respite. 

It almost seems heroic to say that we never took a break. I read of the men in the Bible who fought for so long that their hand froze to their weapon. In our workaholic culture we would want to name our children after that guy. 

I understand that when you have no option you do what you have to do. But then I look at Jesus. After all didn't he take time away? Sure he ended up doing more ministry because the people followed Him but the intent was to rest. 

It is significant that the Bible records Jesus sleeping in the boat. He had to take the opportunities as they arose. And in many ways we also should be intentional about our rest but also take the opportunities when they present themselves. 

If you are battle weary and ready to throw in the towel take some time out if you can. Think ahead and even schedule it in your planner if you have to. After you get away for a day or have some time to yourself you will probably end up being more productive and better to be around. 

Have you seen the benefits of taking time out? Are there other ways to be intentional about rest?

Day 277 - Sapped Strength

"When we came back home everyone was wiped out from being in the heat. I ended up taking a 2 hour nap. I didn't want to be asleep that long but it felt good to get some rest."

When you have been going for a long time and the heat is on you can get exhausted. I think there are two extremes in our society when it comes to rest. One is too much, also called laziness. The other is too little and could be labeled workaholic. 

Work is good. We were made to work. It is built on the inside of us. I am very glad I was brought up with a strong work ethic and have seen the benefits of it myself. Even with that it is still good to get some rest every now and again. 

Sometimes I feel a bit guilty when I get rest. Like I should be doing something. But just as much as God built into us to work He also modeled rest for us. After the six days of creation God rested and then later commanded the children of Israel to rest. 

We need not get lazy but we do need to refresh every now and then. Even Jesus rested after long periods of ministry. If the anointed Son of God fell asleep in a boat and stayed asleep in a storm then I know he was tired! He would also take time with His disciples to rest (even though they had many interruptions of their rest that resulted in miracles). 

When you have been going for a long time and have been sweating through the heat of your labors take a rest. Don't feel guilty. Kick your feet up and get refreshed. You will be glad you did and when it comes time to work again you will be stronger and more focused. 

How do you like to rest? Would you say you have to watch out for being lazy or being a workaholic?

Day 114 - Vacation

"Today was what we dream vacation to be."

It is so important to get away. Sometimes we get compassion fatigue and stop caring. Sometimes we get giving fatigue and our generosity is sapped. Sometimes we get serving fatigue and we end up grumbling while we work. 

God left us an example that on the seventh day He rested. We should take notes and follow His lead. Jesus said that man was not made for the Sabbath but Sabbath for man. God knew we would be workaholics and needed a mandate to take a break. Even in the life of Jesus you see Him taking a break, pulling His disciples aside to rest and napping while they traveled by boat (in a storm nonetheless!). 

Last week we took a family vacation and I could say the same thing I said last year; it was what we dream vacation to be. The neat thing is that we not only rested, turned our brains off, connected with our children and did something different than the norm, but we also came home refreshed and ready to approach life and work with a clear mind. Even my creativity and writing have been better since I rested. 

If you have been going too long without some rest it may be time to retreat, refresh and refuel. Plan your rest as well as your work. 

Do you have any fun vacation memories? How do you feel after vacation?

Day 21 - Filling Holes

"Pretty lazy day today. Not much to report. Kids off to school. Made some returns at the store and filled holes in the travertine. Meals were eaten and life was lived. Not every day is a chasing dolphin kind of day. Sometimes it is a filling the holes in the tiles kind of day. Both are much needed."

I honestly wouldn't remember this day had it not been for my journal. With all that life has for us we don't look forward to these kinds of days but they are no less necessary. We may be just thinking of them as filling in time (much like filling in the holes in my travertine tiles) but they are important parts of our year. If we don't take the time to rebuild, rest, refresh and restore things will fall apart. We may find ourselves with broken fences, weakened wills and drab appearances. 

How do you feel about days like this? How important is rest and refreshing?