Make This Summer About Rest

Make This Summer About Rest by Jen Lawrence

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing;

so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” – Genesis 2:2

Around this time of year, one of my favourite passages from scripture is Mark 6:30-31:

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 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.”

If you’ll recall, the disciples were not able to rest right away, as a crowd in need of healing had assembled where they’d planned to set up camp. The disciples were so overtired and hungry (hangry!), and so full of complaint, that they nearly missed the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

I can soooo relate.

This year has been a crazy one. We got married, blended two families, bought and sold two houses, and started a renovation.  And then, the end of the school year craziness hit and there were two spring fairs (two!), two graduations (again, two!), recitals, and camp forms, and exams.

They were all good things, but I am exhausted to my core.

Jesus would be empathetic.

Right after the disciples had helped feed the crowd of 5000, Jesus sent them ahead to Bethsaida so they could rest while he dismissed the crowd.  It was an illustration of his promise: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I will give you rest.

The Sabbath made for us.

Exhale.

Summer is the perfect time to slow things down after many months of busy. The kids are out of school, work often moves to summer hours, and it’s too hot to do much of anything anyways.

This summer, try to make a point of really relaxing. Spend a lazy Saturday afternoon reading on the porch. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and spend a couple of hours paddling around with friends. Sit outside in the evening and simply count the stars.

And if you happen upon a hammock, take a nap.

Use this season to catch up on your sleep and establish better sleep habits going forward:

• Limit your caffeine intake during the day.
• Buy room darkening shades.
• Get a fan if your bedroom is warm at night.
• Get some cute pajamas.
• Turn off the television, phones, and computers by 9pm.

The September season of busy will be upon us soon enough, so go to a quiet place and get some rest. Because you don’t want to be so tired that you almost miss the miracle.