We live in such a fast-paced world. Everything runs a the speed of the internet.
And we no longer know how to be still.
We equate resting with a lack of productivity. We never know peace because we don’t know how to be peaceful. In fact, oftentimes, even when we think we are “resting,” we are usually doing something.
This harried, frenetic pace has made us weary.
Weary fathers, weary mothers, weary children.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
God’s Word talks much of resting, being still, and even peaceful sleep. {It also speaks to the slumber of laziness, but that is not the point I am making here…}
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Psalm 127:2Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes
Psalm 37:7Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10
It is not wrong for us to rest. We labor and we rest. It is a cycle that God put in place. Resting affords us an opportunity to be still and seek the Lord in our quietness. The quiet mind and heart can praise the Lord because we have cast the worries of the day on Him.
Yet, so many of us have forgotten HOW to rest and must relearn the art of being still.
These are the things I’ve done to relearn how to rest…
1. Reading my Bible – the kind you hold in your hand and turn the pages yourself. Interactive electronic Bibles have their place, but restful, they are not.
2. Listening to more music. Peaceful music does wonders for the weary soul. One of my favorites is David Nevue.
3. Sitting outside and noticing things – the clouds, the trees, the children.
4. Afternoon Rest Time. It’s mandatory and I force myself to actually REST. I like to take the baby to bed with me and nurse him because it is relaxing for both of us.
5. Afternoon Tidy Time. It doesn’t sound relaxing at face value, but the end result is a home that feels peaceful and creates an atmosphere of rest that signals the day is coming to a close.
6. Leisurely meals. A short time ago, we realized we were eating our meal and then immediately getting up from the table to race into Table Chores. After listening to Vision Forum’s Family Strategies session on Family Meal Time, we decided to slow our meal pace down purposefully and spend time at the table just being together.
7. Winding down in the evenings. The last 15-30 minutes of my day, no matter what time I go to bed, are spent unplugged and winding down. As mothers, we often find ourselves going at breakneck speed from sunup to sundown and beyond only to fall into bed exhausted and sleep away a fitful night. Give your mind and body time to decompress from the day’s events with a good book, a bath, or just time sitting quietly on the couch or in bed with a journal. Thank the Lord for the day and for the sleep!
I truly believe my spiritual life and my physical life have become much more abundant since I’ve become purposeful in my resting. I do not feel as weary and my daily life as a homemaker has been much more fulfilling because I am laboring AND resting.
I am weary no more.
Looking for more peace in your home? Check out my ebook – Creating a Peaceful Home!
Caroline @ The Modest Mom says
I’m sitting here listening to all the sample songs on Amazon of the music you linked to. It sounds wonderful! I have such a hard time finding music that our family agrees with, I’m going to add this to my wish list! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Amy says
Aren’t they wonderful?! We have Whisperings, but I’m hoping to get some more soon.
Britta Kreps says
I wholeheartedly agree with that idea that sometimes we go from “sunup to sundown” and end up not sleeping well regardless of exhaustion. I find my nights and next days to be much better if I at least take that 15-20 minutes you spoke of, at the end of the day, to just rest and debrief.
Amy says
Isn’t it amazing how just that short time is enough to really bring us to a restful place?! 🙂
ClassiclyAmber says
I love this! As a super busy, new-ish mom of 5, I have been in shock to how much more busy I am these days! It really jumped out at me with what you said about mealtime. I want to relish in my family more during these times. We’ve started doing devos at the table [I try to do that at least twice a day] and that definitely helps slow things down…gets people connecting more. Love it. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Amy says
You are welcome!
MissMOE says
Great post! I recently read a bit about sleep habits before electricity. It was natural to go to bed not to long after dark and to sleep until dawn. And the most interesting part for me was what scientist are now calling twilight sleep. It was normal for there to be a dreamy semi-awake period in the middle of the night. At the time people used that time to lay and think about things. Kinda like a mediation time. I think we miss that now–time to just think without distractions.
Heather says
My family is having our house warming party on Saturday. We moved in about five weeks ago and have three kids, three and under. I find myself just spinning my wheels in the dirt, or so it feels at least. Thank you for this great reminder to let go a little and rest. My husband and I have taken a few true Sabbaths, where we sit and watch clouds, slow paced walks and just play with our children for hours and those are some of my most cherished memories. I haven’t let myself take small amounts of time to do those things, thinking I have too much else to do, but now I feel challenged to try it. Even for just fifteen minutes somewhere.
Erin says
This is such a hard lesson for me to learn and adhere to. I work full time (3 days a week) and teach online. My husband and I work on opposite days so our time as a family is spent in the evenings, but many of those are being filled with teaching and other activities. Our weekends are spent getting caught up and grocery shopping. We feel like we are running at break neck speeds sometimes and long for a quiet day together as a family, but it seems like that day never comes.
We are counting down the months (May) until I can quit my out of the home job and stay home with our children. I will still have to teach online, but it will be delightful to not have that extra job pulling me away.
I have found that the little moments of rest are so important. The time I spend reading books to my children, sitting on the floor just holding them and the time we take on Sunday afternoons for nap time. We have a similar routine for afternoon nap time and it’s hard for me not to feel guilty about taking a few moments out of my day to rest with my children.
I think rest too, is so much more than just catching our breath before we move to the next thing, it really is taking time to delight in the world around us. To take in and be refreshed by God and His creation and the gifts He’s given us.
Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage says
I needed this post, Amy! I AM a weary mother. I love my home, I love my precious children, I love being a mama.
But, too often, I am weary.
I do equate success with productivity. As silly as it sounds, I do struggle with knowing how to truly rest.
So, how do you get it all done with a large family… and still have time to rest?
I am striving to learn this important principle because, as you well know, being weary is not condusive to a peaceful home!
Thank you for your lovely blog and beautiful words. You are a blessing. 🙂
Amy says
Kristy,
Thank you for your kind words! As for getting it all done, I have two thoughts on this.
1. I work very hard toward efficiency. I am always looking for a better, faster way to do things. Which is why I started the Large Family Organization feature and link up on Tuesdays. I’m hoping it gives moms a place to start.
2. Some things just don’t need to be done. We don’t have to do and be it all. Knowing our limitations and stopping before we hit the wall is tantamount to learning the art of resting.
Many blessings to you,
Amy
Katy says
One of our very favorite ways to slow down is after the boys go to bed. We step out our back door (we live in the country) and into the cool night air. Then we sit together on the back porch, breath in the air, don’t speak, look up at the stars, the sky, the moon, look around to see if we spot any wild life (last night’s was loaded with TONS of animals we haven’t seen in our area before), and just center ourselves with one another and with God.
Amy says
There is just *something* about being outside and breathing deep, isn’t there? 🙂
Ginger says
Thank you so much for linking to David Nevue. I’d never heard of him, but I’ve been looking for some music to have during labor (8 mos pg now) and I think he’ll be perfect!
Having a productive day does make me very happy, but I also take a nap every day regardless of what I want to accomplish that day. I’m learning to say: Well, I didn’t sew the valance today, but I did figure out what all the fabric measurements need to be, so I accomplished something. 😉
Amy says
Oh wonderful! And yes, at 8 mons pregnant *just* getting the measurements IS quite an accomplishment! 😉
Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage says
Again, THANK YOU, Amy!!
Lisa says
I am glad you are feeling more rested and less weary overall! I have been feeling very weary, and slowly but surely I am taking steps to take better care of myself. A weary mom isn’t good for much!
karyn says
Is that little guy asleep on the steps? I guess that’s another way to stay rested – take advantage of any moment you can. I have a bibles and books all over the house so that I can plop down at a moment’s notice and read a little something inspiring before the next activity or chore.