Rest, Sleep, and Sabbath

Yesterday was SUPER long for me.  Tuesdays are always challenging because they are usually meeting night at church and Cade has gymnastics.  Add that to the morning workouts I have been doing since the beginning of the year and the fact that I woke up at 4 am yesterday, yeah I was pretty tired.  


I often end up burning the candle at both ends.  I always have several projects going at once and want to get them all done immediately.  It doesn't always work that way.  


A couple weeks ago, on a Sunday night, I had a funny thing happen.  Saturday night was a late night from 6 til 11pm with one group, Sunday afternoon was game day with another group.  We got back to the church at 3:30 and I knew that I had 30 minutes between the ending of that and Praise Band to regroup.  


I listened to some music and had prayer time.  The next thing I knew, Pastor was standing in my office giggling at me.  Apparently, I was in a little deeper prayer time than I had planned.  I fell asleep.  I was out cold.  I didn't realize I was tired really, only that I needed to regroup.  


Sleep and rest is a funny thing.  It is a time of healing, it is a time of repair.  It is a time to slow down.  I like life in the fast lane.  I like the constant movement of the world (have said this many times).  What this leads me to, though is times where my "God time" leads to sleep.  


Because of yesterday's long day of prayer time, the gym, work, gymnastics, Praise Band and helping the guys at church fix the shed -- today seems kinda sleepy.  My thoughts are racing but my mind just wants to take a nap.  


In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says -- "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."


I don't think afternoon naps are quite what Jesus had in mind, but more specifically, recognizing the need for quiet time with God to rest your mind and your soul.  Quiet time reflecting on the blessings amidst the chaos sounds like wonderful rest to me.  


AMEN