How To Know if Your Overdue for a Little R & R

Do you need a vacation?  A little R & R?  Some summer fun spice up your life? A time out for some spiritual, mental and physical renewal?  Take this quiz and find out!

How to Know if You’re Overdue for Rest

1. When I’m on a roll with a project I find it hard to stop. (note:  the “project” could be work, getting something done around your home, a volunteer activity, being on the computer, reading a book or watching TV)
2. If I’m honest, I sometimes think date nights, vacations, family day trips, etc. cost too much to really be worth the expense.
3. I used to be more fun than I am now.
4. I sometimes view the needs of my family more as interruptions than opportunities.
5. I’m tired and cranky more than I would like to be.

How did you do?  If you answered “yes” to two or more of these questions, you are probably in need of a little down time.  You may feel the need.  Then again, you may not.

But you need it just the same.

I haven’t blogged in over a week.  Wanna know why?  I’ve been in Palm Desert soaking up the sun with JP and my girls.  We’ve had the best conversations (a priceless treasure when you have a 17 year old and a 20 year old), great family time, and one other important thing.  Rest.

But here’s the kicker: I didn’t even want to go.

There.  I’ve admitted it.  You’re probably thinking that I’m crazy; that you would never be so foolish to forego a fun family get away or turn down a couple of days of R &R.  And maybe you wouldn’t.  But then again…

Maybe, like me, sometimes you find it hard to rest.  Oh, not all the time, of course.  Just in those seasons where deadlines loom, where children are in constant need of your attention, or when you have more than usual on your plate.

The very times we need it most.

When JP planned this little mini-vacation I thought it couldn’t have come at a worse time.  I have a book coming out in three weeks, for heaven’s sake!  We’re smack in the middle of home projects that desperately need completion.  And the list could go on…Couldn’t we simply plan a get away when nothing much else is happening?  I wondered.

I’m glad the practical side of me didn’t win.

Lori Marshall, my dear friend and the women’s ministry director of my church, Crossline, gave all our leaders permission to rest this summer, reminding us of Jesus words to his disciples “Let’s go off to a quiet place by ourselves and rest awhile”.

Since I’ve been pondering our need for rest this week, I’ve been reminded that sometimes we fail to do this is two significant ways.  Either we fail to rest altogether, or we fail to take Jesus along with us in our times of rest. Jesus invited his followers to go with him to rest. But during the lazy summer months, which can lack the structure of the other seasons, we can easily find ourselves going away from Jesus to rest, rather than going with Him to rest.  True rest only comes when we get away to a quiet place (if only for an hour!) and allow God to refresh us in body, mind and soul. As you begin your summer here’s a few suggestions to help you rest, and rest with Jesus:

1. Give yourself permission to read the Bible at a leisurely pace, without feeling guilty about what else you could/should/would be doing.
2. Buy a copy of Jesus Calling and read it each morning. (You can get it at Costco)
3. Begin your day by quoting Psalm 118:24 out loud –“This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!”  (My friend Julie’s grandparents started out their day this way for years) During the day look around for something—anything—you can rejoice in or be glad about.
4. Linger over a meal with someone you love.
5. Take a nap or sleep in and don’t feel guilty about it!
6. Stick your toes in the sand or a pool or walk barefoot in the grass. Notice creation.  No wait…experience creation.
7. End each day by talking about/writing down something you’re thankful for. Tell God thank you.
8. Read a good book (like SEEK, which you can order here!) and allow its message to help you stay connected to Christ.
9. Take a walk and talk to God.
10. Take a walk and talk with your husband, child or friend.
11. Let refreshing music fill your car or your home.
12. Get active and have fun doing it—play tennis, volleyball or golf; ride a bike or a horse; swim, surf, paddle board, canoe—whatever sounds fun to you, do it!
13. Finally make time to do that “something” you always mean to do during the summer, but usually don’t.

Here’s to us having a truly restful summer!