Taking Time

Like any mom with three small children, I have trouble resting. There’s always a load of laundry to fold, a dishwasher to unload,and children waiting to be bathed or fed. When I do have a few minutes to sit down, I have difficulty using that time for actual rest and instead find myself updating my to do list.

Sometimes I’m good at setting boundaries and saying “no” to obligations and appointments. Yet still I often find myself rushing from task to task. Not to mention how social media amplifies the sense that one isn’t doing enough. Instagram is full of what feels like hashtagging taunts of “mom boss” and “hustle.”

Our family just closed out two weeks of sickness, colds, and even one case of pink eye. Although it felt frustrating that everyone was down, it was also a gift in disguise. I canceled my normal appointments, obligations, and errands. I was forced to stay home, slow our pace and rest.

I don’t know why I think I can push and push. Even Jesus took times of rest. When I think about his ministry—three short years, I am baffled. From a human perspective, if you only had three years to accomplish your life’s work, you might be thinking, “Hey, I can’t possibly take a break now!” And yet Jesus took time.

Time to sleep

Mark 4:35-40

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Have you ever been so tired you couldn’t stop crying? This happened to me recently. I was bone tired. I needed to sleep, but a nap…who has time to nap?  

Jesus had time. During the three most significant years of his life, Jesus took a nap.

Time away from others

It’s so interesting to me that Jesus felt the need to get away from the crowds now and then. He encouraged his disciples to come with him away from the people that had been following them.

We all need a break from people once in awhile. As an introvert, I definitely get worn out by groups larger than seven people and need to spend some time at home either alone or with just with my family.

I find the verses like Mark 1:35 comforting,  “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”

Time to abide with Jesus

Another way for the weary soul to rest and refresh is by spending time in God’s word or praying. I find myself inundated by memes, sayings, and the words of humans all week long. I long for something truly refreshing—the timeless truth of God’s word.

“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”-Jesus (John 4:14)

God isn’t surprised by our humanity or our need for rest. He understands, sympathizes and modeled what it looks like. He meets us in our weaknesses and even commanded a day of the week just for resting so we would take the time to find Him.

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Sarah Clews is a wife, mother of two little girls, and prolific reader. She received her BS from Corban University in English and still loves writing. She helps her husband run their martial arts school, and in her free time, enjoys sewing, experimenting with makeup, and reading blogs.