One of my most favorite things in college was naps. I took one almost everyday. My step dad also loves his Sunday afternoon naps. The word nap means 1 : to sleep briefly especially during the day
2 : to be off guard. You see naps are meant for the day. They are meant for you to doze off. Your body is caught off guard because it becomes still and then you are off in dream land. People fall asleep in church a lot because that usually is the one time during the week their bodies are still and they fall fast asleep. Movies, laying out in the sun are also moments where we don't intentionally mean to fall asleep but often do. I remember once I was picking up Rachel last year and I got in line 30 minutes before the bell rang. My goal was to read and pray and little did I know the vice principal would wake me up by banging on my window and horns would be blowing for me to move forward. Isn't that how our lives often look. We set things in motion and the minute we are caught off guard all heck breaks loose. The past few weeks and weekends have been jam packed full with stuff to do. From work, to church to wedding stuff to speaking has forced me to be so busy everyday. Today is my day of rest and usually that means that I clean up a little but mostly read, write some and catch a few episodes of cupcake wars. However today I woke up and took Rachel to school came back ironed Richards clothes and decided to take a brief nap but instead I woke up at 11:30. My first reaction was guilt because I have dishes in the sink, clothes to wash and floors to sweep and mop. But as I laid in my bed I found myself shifting my thoughts from guilt to thankfulness. I believe that we often resort back to guilt because somewhere along the way the world has decided that if you take time out for yourself in any capacity you are some how lazy. As I got up I felt so much better and energized to do the to-do list. Remember the Mary and Martha story in the bible. One had the longing to have everything perfect and the other just wanted to sit and soak up the presence of the Creator. Our lives have become so full and if I leave my schedule unprotected and my thoughts unprotected you better believe I will find myself in a place of exhaustion and defeat. In 1 Chronicles 15 it says this "7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” To take courage simply means : mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. We aren't out there fighting lions and tigers and bears (oh my). But I know many of you are emotionally withstanding verbal abuse from your spouses and you need to hear me say take courage! For some it's battling your addiction and you need to hear someone say take courage. I am not sure where you stand today and how bad or good things are. But I do know that God is never caught off guard, never taking a nap or startled by the circumstances of our life. Richard said this past weekend that "our circumstances never dethrone God" and that has stuck with me. Brittany and I have a friendship like no other and she not only knows me inside and out but she also pushes me to take care of my body. Today she cooked me lunch and loved on me and it meant the absolute world. My body needed more than a day of rest it needed sleep, friendship, and a cup of coffee. Our words can often be the game changer in someone stepping out and embracing courage. As you finish out this day let the last part of that verse resonate in you "for your work shall be rewarded.” Press on! Rest! Lean in to the heart of your Creator! Love your friends and leave the results to Him. I believe today I am suffering not only from lack of rest but also a spiritual hangover. God has and continues to rock my world in ways I never imagined. Dream bigger than your captivity today. Ephesians 3:20 - Freedom is a beautiful thing!
No comments:
Post a Comment