I’m kind of a busybody.  I don’t know that I always intend to be, but I think it started as a kid.  For the first 8 years of my life, I was an only child, and I had to find ways to keep myself entertained.  I think it’s also because of my parents stressing the value of working hard for everything that you have and the value of earning your success.

So, I enjoy working hard and staying busy.  There are many things that interest me, and my work (both with my job and with graduate school) keeps me busy.  So, on most days I have a to-do list that reaches somewhere from here to heaven, even after checking things off.  My to-do lists have to-do lists.  It’s actually quite ridiculous.

But now I’m on break.  So, I’ve decided to put my to-do lists on hold and actually “break”.  I had no idea that this would be so difficult.  Like, I seriously had to FORCE myself not to do anything on Saturday but go to the grocery store and go get the oil changed in my car.  While I know that taking time to rest is important, I didn’t think I would struggle to do so.

The truth of the matter is that by failing to rest regularly, I’ve done myself (and those who are in constant contact with me) a disservice.  We need rest.  Our minds do, and our bodies do.  So often we get into the habit of just working all the way through- pushing through the pain and fatigue until our bodies shut down.  That’s happened to me for the past 2-3 years that I’ve been at my job and it’s horrible.

So, I’m using part of this break (if not all of it) to learn how to sit still.  As much as I love being busy, I need to love resting.  I’m not going to be good for anybody if I don’t learn how to take care of me first.  And while it sounds selfish, it’s completely true.  If God can take time to rest, surely I can as well.

Here’s to finding more balance, taking time to rest and observe a Sabbath, and being a better, healthier me.

Until next time…