Refreshing! If I had to choose one word to describe our mini-vacation I’d say it was refreshing. The kids are on fall break so my husband took off Friday and Monday from work so we could enjoy a long weekend together.
The weather was cool and crisp—just right for hiking which we love to do. But mainly we rested. We rested from the work place. We rested from the computer. We rested from doing. Period. We trusted that our work would wait on us. It would be there after our vacation was over.
We took long drives in the convertible, we window shopped, explored nature, went to the movies, read a book, enjoyed dinner out and talked with one another without the interruption of ipods and text messaging. We rested—trusting that work could wait.
The result was refreshing.
I don’t think we rest enough in our society today. People are burning out from tying to do it all and from carrying a load larger than life. When they become completely beaten down, they look up and wonder Where is God?
He’s there. He’s inviting us into His rest. “Come to me all of you who are weary…weary from work, weary from pain, weary from worry…come and I will give you rest.”
Rest requires trust. Why? Because you and I have to trust God to work on our behalf in order to let go. We have to trust that God is able to do what we can’t do. We have to trust that God knows best. When we trust, we enter into God’s rest. There we find peace, renewal of our mind, and refreshment.
Go ahead. Take a mini-vacation today. Your work will wait and you’ll be better prepared to handle it after you rest.
If you’re looking for great tips on making your children’s faith their own, visit my friend Susanne’s blog today!
R says
Hi Micca,
I found your blog through Lysa's. This message was just what I needed we need more rest and quit taking on so much "stuff". I enjoy your blog as with all the proverbs 31 gals.
Thanks,
Renea H
Amy says
Too true!
Tina says
Sat's are my day to totally rest. No makeup, no done-up hair, just comfy clothes & my couch. I'll clean my house Fri nite so it will be out of the way. Rest is not laziness!! Thanks Micca!
Betty says
Love calling time with my family a mini-vacation…even when we go nowhere!! Just talking, playing, eating, enjoying each other! Praise the Lord for these blessings!
amykat says
You hit the nail on the head…."rest requires trust."
I guess the lack of godliness in this world is a primary reason we have workaholics. We think we have to do it all by ourselves.
You have given me a LOT to think about!
Kelly says
Great message. Before reading your post, I was wishing I could do just that…kick back and relax! Unfortunately, today's schedule does not allow much of that, but I now feel good about the 30 minutes I am taking to sip my cup of steaming Earl Grey and read some blog posts 🙂
Sharon Abbott Cowan says
I concur we all need to take a rest. I like to periodically unplug from things and do a mini retreat at home or away. By unplug I mean unplug the telephone, computer, cell phone, television and whatever else would be a distraction and retreat into some serious time with God in his Word and in prayer. I always come back so energized and rested.
shutterhappyhope says
Thanks for the encouragement to trust God to do what we can't!
Wendy Blight says
Micca, what a GREAT reminder to us about the importance of rest. I cannot remember the last time we RESTED together as a family. You have inspired me to do the same for our family. We have fall break in a few weeks… :0)
Miss you sweet friend,
Wendy
Kim says
"We have to trust that God knows best."
Thanks so much for this reminder, Micca.
I so love all of you P31 gals and all you do.
(Hi, Lysa)
Kim
Renee Swope says
Oh, I needed this today. After our trip to Ethiopia I felt like I needed a week of vacation but we'd been away so long that none of us could afford to take time off from anything (work, school, etc) but we do need a mini-vacation so I am going to put that on our list of things to schedule for this weekend. Good word girl!
Molly says
Hi Micca!
I also came over to your blog through Lysa's tonight. How appropriate to find your post about R & R. It is something God has been working on in my life for the past few months. No coincidence that I decided to visit you today!
I am a 'work in progress' where being able to rest without guilt but, I am getting there. Learning to not stress over a little dust on the furniture or a floor that waits another day to get mopped.
In fact, hubby and I are taking a few days off starting tomorrow to visit a brand new grandson and his big brother. Trying to cram 5 days of work into 2 so I could leave semi-guiltfree was a challenge but…it's behind me and what didn't get done will wait or someone else will put together the final little pieces. As for me, I am going to go spoil me some grandsons!! (BTW, if Lysa reads this too, my daughter-in-law who has blessed me with these 2 precious boys loves, loves, loves Target!!)
Hugs and blessings,
Molly
Jamie @ Six Bricks High says
So good! It is all too easy to get caught in the busyness of this life. This was a much needed reminder for me.