The Gift of Rest
Worries surrounding America’s involvement in the Vietnam War consumed President Lyndon B. Johnson. While many presidents have found great solace in Camp David, President Johnson wasn’t good at relaxing. As is illustrated in this photo of Johnson that I shared yesterday, Johnson saw the retreat as another place to get work done.
It is easy to believe that our work is so important we cannot take time to rest. It helps me to think of rest as a gift God gave us. It really is okay to take a break.
A few years ago while my mother was living with us, she had a doctor’s visit one day. During the visit, our doctor told me:
“The best thing you can do for your mother is to take care of yourself.”
He told me that the care I give one person mustn’t bring me down to the point that I can’t be available for the other people in my life.
After that doctor’s advice, I thought about his words and realized that it was a wise message to give to homeschooling mamas. Please take care of yourself. Give yourself permission to take care of yourself. It is a precious gift you can give to your children and to all of the people you love.
Jesus gave His disciples permission to rest. Rest. It is one more way you can obey and honor God.
During Jesus’ ministry, He sent His disciples out on what theologians call the limited commission. This is what happened after they returned from doing work He had sent them to do:
The apostles gathered together with Jesus;
and they reported to Him
all that they had done and taught.
And He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place
and rest a while.”
(For there were many people coming and going,
and they did not even have time to eat.)
They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
Mark 6:30-32
Let’s look again at a passage I have shared twice recently.
“Come to Me,
all who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.”
Luke 11:28