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.