TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE…
When I was working as an obstetrician/gynecologist I woke up early each morning. Rushing around and slinging coffee, I frequently had morning meetings followed by rounds at the hospital and then off to an overbooked clinic and a phone that never stopped ringing. I juggled patients in labor with calls from the emergency room, nurses, pharmacies and colleagues. Working through lunch and running behind schedule in clinic was extremely stressful. I tried to accommodate, but it was exhausting and overwhelming. Everyone who loved me told me I needed to slow down. I knew it was true, but I didn’t know how.
Isaiah 30:15, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” NIV
DON’T ASK ME
A good friend recently asked, “How do you get off the merry-go-round?” Obviously, I’m not the one to ask. I was thrown off. My life came to a screeching halt. One day I was the doctor; the next day I was the patient. One day I was working myself into the ground, the next day I was unable to move. Myasthenia gravis doesn’t give you a choice. I rest. For the first time in my life I am resting. It wasn’t voluntary, but I will have to admit there are benefits.
DO YOU CONSIDER REST A FOUR-LETTER WORD?
I thought rest and sleep were overrated. They are not. Rest is sweet. It brings peace. I am currently in a season of mandatory rest. God created the entire universe in six days, then He rested. He set the example then commanded us to rest. Rest is an art. It’s a discipline. It’s not optional. It’s good and ultimately, it’s for our good.
Exodus 20:8-10, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work…” NLT
HOW DO YOU REST?
Honestly, I don’t know. You will have to figure that out for yourself. But I know this: your body needs rest, your mind needs rest, your soul needs rest. You know you need rest when you wake up exhausted, your mind races all night, and your spirit is irritable.
MAYBE…
spend time in a hammock, it’s so much trouble to get in and out, just stay there a while
drive somewhere just to watch the sunset
linger over a cup of coffee on the porch
soak in a long, hot bubble bath
journal your cluttered thoughts
read, study and memorize God’s word
pray consistently
REAL REST COMES FROM TRUST
God is God. Sometimes that’s all I know. He is in control. I am not, neither are you. Rest in it!
Psalm 37:7, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him…” KJV
I SO love your posts!❤️
Your post was wonderful as usual. Rest like it matters because it really does.
Love the way you put that “rest like it matters.” Purposeful rest is a new concept for me. Love you.
You capture this reality so beautifully! From one doc with MG to another, I completely understand, right down to waking up one day unable to move. Learning the new meaning of “self-care”
It is way more fun to be the doctor than the patient!
Rest is highly underrated in our society. May you continue to learn how to rest, and allow God to use you through your posts.
Thank you so much. It’s amazing what a blessing adversity can be.
Vickie all you said is so true. Ten years I found out that sometimes you just have to slow down and rest. Life is still different than it was before my brain aneurysm, but I am so blessed. God let me be a miracle and the only thing I really prayed and ask God for was a grandbaby and he gave me two precious little girls. I enjoy everything you post so much and God is good all of the time.
Yes He is and you are definitely a miracle!
I used to feel lazy for resting or as if I was neglecting my babies if I took 20 mins to quiet my mind and just breathe but with age comes wisdom. Now I encourage my daughter to just take 20. I encourage my grandchildren to just be alone for a few minutes. Sometimes I go looking for them and they are resting quietly and I love that. It is harder than it seems in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.
Great post.
Great value to instill while they are young.
Love this
Thank you!
No truer words ever spoken. I think women are particularly given to the notion that they are not supposed to be still. We just get on the roller coaster and ride it. At some point however, we will not have an option to rest or not. Either life–or God–will slow us down. I am so thankful I have had a rewarding teaching career, but am also thankful that I have been able to retire. I am finding it hard, though, to rest. After years of going fast and furious, I almost feel guilty for not being on that treadmill every day. I am asking God to help me pace myself while showing me what I can do to serve him more since my days are much slower. I’m not done yet, so I know there will be something else–not necessarily a job–but some way He will use me. I know He has provided a slower pace for me for my own good–I have some health issues also. But I am able to spend much more time with Him and listening to what He wants to show me at this point in my life. Love you and pray that your MG will be controlled and am so thankful for your obedience. You are helping more people than you know!
You are a blessing to so many with your prayers. As I look back at my life there have many times He “maketh me to lie down.”
Love your blogs. God is using you in an amazing way! You are truly an inspiration! I had a double bout of CDiff ..it slowed me down and gave me lots of time on my porch with God. Wish I could always feel that close to Him!! Don’t want to be sick though!!! Love your sweet mom and dad!!
I have heard others say that too. Our times of struggle bring us a special nearness to God. We want to get well, but we don’t want to lose that.
In retirement, I am busy. However, it’s a restful busy if that makes sense. You are so right about the need for rest–physical, mental and emotional.
I read all of your posts, but this one is especially thought provoking. Preach on, sister!
It has surprised me how many this one hit home with.
Now I like to say I am occupied, not busy.
Proverbs 16:9. ” The heart of a man plans his way, but The Lord establishes his steps.” I thoroughly loved my career – 40 years as a nurse. However, my retirement has brought a peaceful joy in The Lord – working for Him is awesome – the pay is beyond any earthly pay and the benefits are heavenly!!!! Yes rest is necessary- rest in The Lord – His yoke is easily …..
AMEN!
How do I rest?
1. Every morning, after the stress of waking up, (haha) I rest in a reciner while I sip coffee and read the Word.
2. Every night, as often as possible, I spend time with my husband, just doing nothing, playing a game, or watching a movie.
3. Every weekend, I spend one day just going to church, coming home, and doing as little as possible.
Of course, all my kiddos are grown and gone. Still, we did observe times of rest during their childhoods.
I know doctors don’t rest much. I worry about mine. <3
That’s awesome. It is so important to include resting in your routines.
I’m so glad you started this blog. I just love reading it. You are a very gifted writer! (Among many, MANY of other gifts!)
Thank you so much!
This is amazing. I know the forced rest is hard but it is good. Been there, done that. I think we get this idea that if we rest, we are being lazy. That’s so far from the truth! Rest gives us the strength to carry on.
It truly is a blessing I cannot explain.
Thanks! I needed these words of wisdom. Now to make changes in my life to get off the merry-go-round and learn to “rest”.
It takes a lot of practice!
Three years ago I flung myself off the merry-go-round and quit my commercial banking career to write. I also moved from the hectic mess of Dallas to lovely, peaceful Fayetteville. At least that’s how it feels to me. Life is much more restful. Wonderful post.
Thanks you and congratulations!
Thanks Vicki – very wise observation.
Thank you. Experience is the best teacher.
When our boys were growing up my husband would insist on an occasional “quiet night”. The tv was turned off (only one tv in the house back then) & peace /quiet prevailed. The boys grumbled a little on these nights but eventually settled in for several hrs of “recharging”. Now that we’re retired w/grown children & grandchildren we still enjoy an occasional “quiet night” w/o the disturbances of everyday living. I try to impress upon our very busy children the need to rest & reflect. It is a gift!
I wish I had done that with my children. I probably instilled a frenetic pace in them. They are grown but can still learn from what I am learning the hard way. Thanks.
Isn’t Sabbath a blessing! When we started observing a Sabbath’s rest on Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, it seemed almost an imposition on our time. ( What are we supposed to do? Sit? ) Now, we look forward to that time with anticipation and thankfulness. When we arise on Sunday morning, we are full of energy, ready to appreciate the day and week ahead. Thank you for your encouraging posts. Seeing God’s hand in everything in our lives lets us give thanks that He has chosen us and called us for His purpose. Pray you have a good week. Any more thoughts on the Jubilee year or Shemitah? See any relationship between them and world current events? Bonnie Johnson
Still reading it. Still researching. Thanks for your help and for sharing.
I never really found rest to be fulfilling. I feel guilty for passing this on to my daughter. I’ve tried to undo my lack of respect for the importance of rest. And…I admit that my daughter is better at learning the goodness of rest at an earlier age than I.
No one has been more guilty than me!
Remember your own advice as you travel. Rest Vickie.