Reward in Rest

The Reward in Rest

Summer break is officially here and you're likely in the middle of the great seasonal family shift-what to do now that kids aren't in school all day.  Amidst coordinating sports, camping weekends, and summer activities, take care to leave margins-and plenty of them-for rest.  Resting doesn't have to mean sleeping or plopping on the couch in front of the TV for hours.  It does, however, mean unplugging from what keeps you busiest during the week.  Allowing your mind and your heart to be still and focus on things that bring you rest-such as God.  Tim Keller sums it up well:

"According to the Bible, it's about more than just taking time off.  After creating the world, God looked around and saw that 'it was very good' (Genesis 1:31).  God didn't just cease from his labor; he stopped and enjoyed what he'd made. What does this mean for us?  We need to stop to enjoy God, enjoy his creation, enjoy the fruits of our labor.  The whole point of Sabbath is joy in what God's done."

My boy's love to swim this time of year, and often Brad sits out by the pool with them while I clean the kitchen, fold laundry, or what ever I do to busy myself.  Last night I decided to go out with Jack and Drew while they swam.  I just sat...  In that time, I found myself chuckling at the silly games they play, marveling at what great swimmers they were, enjoying the breeze, and watching the day turn to dusk and then to night.  It really is a beautiful time of night, yet I miss it often as I allow "things" to occupy my time.  There are those moments when we just stop, draw a deep breath, and the words "ahh" just slip out.  This was one of those moments...  I suggest you make time to allow these moments into your life, as well as your kid's lives.

Intentionally schedule your family for a rhythm of rest and for God, and you'll be transformed and refreshed.