Rest

There is so much that can be learned by the changing of the seasons. Watching the leaves slowly turn from lively green to shades of an evening sunset, then eventually letting go & making their way to the ground. This reminds me that change is necessary. A sense of beauty from ashes. A shedding of what no longer is to prepare for what is to come.

I’ve found that especially true this fall. I feel myself beginning to nestle in for the coming chilly months ahead. Darkness is looming earlier each day, causing a shorter-than-usual work day at the house. While summer has been filled with unpacking, hauling, cleaning, digging, sweating & late night projects, evenings lately have brought a sigh of relief & crock pot meals instead, serving as a much needed rest & one that is more than welcomed.

A Sunday sermon I listened to a couple of weeks ago talked about having a rhythm to life. Jesus knew when it was time to work, when to serve and when to rest. He lived in a sense of balance that accomplished what needed to be done while taking time to find solitude & rest when He needed it most. The pastor illustrated the many times in the Bible that speaks of Jesus walking off alone to think & pray.

Among all of the lessons & wisdom that can be learned from Jesus’s life, that illustration rings especially true in today’s hurried & anxious culture that answers “Busy” to the question of “How are you?” I get it though, that was me for the past few months up until about right now.

When we’re in the whirlwind of life and to-do lists, it doesn’t seem like there’s any other choice. How can we take time to rest when there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day for everything else we have to do? The answer: It’s finding the moments when we can unplug & take a deep breath for a few minutes, stepping outside for an afternoon walk, giving our loved ones a hug. It’s re-prioritizing what’s truly important in our lives & allowing the distractions to slip away.

When we balance work and solitude, play & service, we may come to find that there’s so much more beauty to behold than we’ve ever seen or noticed before. And if we so choose, we may find a sense of peace in the stillness that surpasses all understand. May you allow the cooler weather & shorter days to be that for you.