The Recliner Always Wins

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

During this past week I spent two days and one night with my Dad who underwent surgery to remove a cancerous kidney.  While attempting to rest beside his bed in a hospital recliner I realized that serving God does NOT always mean it will be comfortable or something I enjoy.  Many times I am called into frightening and difficult circumstances which force me to step outside of my comfort zone.

I learned years ago, during many of my husband's hospital stays, that no matter how nice the recliner appears or how far it reclines, you will NOT get a decent night's sleep in one of those contraptions!  The recliner always wins no matter how hard you try or how many pillows you use.  It is not comfortable but it is where a caregiver finds him/herself on many an occasion.  This is the place we hope to rest but instead we find it to be a place we would love to leave and not deal with.

On Tuesday night when I first laid back in the hospital recliner I knew it was not going to be easy but I really didn't care for my location was most important.  This uncomfortable recliner placed me right beside my Daddy so that I could hear his voice when he called.  Serving our heavenly Father is the VERY same way.  When we chose to get close to Him in order to hear His call and then serve Him, it can become very uncomfortable.  It takes a child who is dedicated and loves the Father in order to remain in that uncomfortable place, but in the end the rewards from His call and our service always outweigh the discomfort and the pain.

Rest?... Really?

 

Mark 6:31

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

I read this scripture and it sounds so good.  I think of places of rest I enjoy such as snuggled in my chair with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee.  While this picture seems wonderful the reality is that as I sit in my chair I hear my daughter calling for me from down the hall.  As the delicious coffee reaches my lips my sweet dog jumps into my lap and I struggle to keep the coffee in the cup.  Just about the time I try for the third time to settle in, I hear my husband call me.  Now don't get me wrong.  I adore my daughter, my husband and even that ball of fur, but it can be frustrating to be so needed in the midst of desiring a few quiet moments of rest.

As a caregiver, this increases in intensity and can become even more overwhelming.  The average caregiver will eagerly share with you that they are not "allowed" to rest or have time for themselves.  I understand that feeling fully and unfortunately have made that very same statement many times over the past 9 years as a caregiver.  You spend so much time doing things for others that you and your time of rest can become lost in the list of "to dos".  At the end of the day you meant to spend some quiet moments with the Savior but somehow it just didn't happen.

Rest may not come in the form of a week long vacation.  It may be only 10 minutes alone and you may have to work really hard to make even this short amount of time happen, but please, try for it is worth it.  Jesus tells us in Mark chapter 6 that He wants us to come and be with Him in a quiet place in order to rest.  What a beautiful picture I begin to imagine.  Resting with Jesus sounds like the ultimate yet we are too busy to take Him up on His offer.   Let's make a point in the days to come to find a few moments to spend with the One who gave His all for you and me.