HSBC Coffeebreak

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV

My third pregnancy has been rough. I’ve found myself ill almost all day, everyday. Nothing stays in me and nothing even really sounds good to eat. I’ve been tired and nauseous and cranky. It’s hard to be functional, let
alone an enthusiastic mom to my two other children when I feel this bad. And all this illness wears on me emotionally.

I wake up everyday thinking about when I can nap. I wake up from every nap thinking about when I can lie down and rest again. Sometimes I don’t even know if I need a nap, I just think that I need to rest if I am going to survive the evening. As a result, my home has suffered and, well, did I mention that I am cranky? I usually have my quiet times with God during my kids’ naps. I usually straighten up, return phone calls and begin dinner. With me napping for a full two hours, I am unprepared…both domestically and spiritually. This drives me crazy.

A few nights ago, before I went to bed, I decided to look up the word “rest” in my Bible. I read the above verse and spent some time thinking about what it was really saying. I noticed that Jesus says, “Come to me” to find rest. I was struck by that. He doesn’t say, “Take a nap all you who are weary…” It made me think that perhaps Jesus defines rest differently than I do, and as a result, rest that comes from Him is true rest. Better than a nap. Better than a vacation away alone for a week (I’ve daydreamed about this too!). His rest is full of peace – and better yet, obtainable in any moment of every day. I can go to him in my thoughts while changing a diaper. I can pray to him while fixing lunch, washing dishes or playing in the yard.

Since that night, I have been trying to trust God with my need for rest. He knows my situation and my health needs. I don’t for any minute believe that He is against naps. I simply think that when I choose to spend time each day with Him, asking Him for rest and strength for the day, that I will receive it and it will last longer than when I take a nap. He is where true rest and peace are found.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the rest that you can provide for my body and soul. Thank you for providing time in my day to slow down. Give me wisdom to know what I need to do and what I simply “think” I need to do, be that napping or sweeping the floors. Help me to operate on Your strength, both when I am sick and when I am well.

Written by
Holly Hauskins