Take A Break!

By Angie Ketcham

I have to admit, these last few weeks have been super busy in my life!  I keep thinking that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, yet there always seems to be a pile up of activity already waiting for me ahead.  It's true, I do it to myself.  Life has so many exciting things to offer that I want to do it all.  Be it all.  Have it all....I'm exhausted just thinking about it.  (is where I smile and laugh at myself for being so silly.)

A few weeks ago my daughter came to me complaining about a sore throat and exhaustion.  I put it off as dramatics, too busy to really hear what she was saying (I know, Mother of the Year here.)  After about a week of complaints and insisting, I took her to the doctor to find out what was going on.  Lo and behold, if she didn't have mononucleosis!  She really was sick!  She was so disappointed to learn that the only thing was going to make her feel better was to rest.  The thought of slowing down to listen to her body was such a foreign thought to her that she was sure life was over forever!

And I get it.  Rest seems to be a lost art in our culture.  I mean, there's always something more that needs to be done.  We have no time to sit and enjoy what quiet has to offer.  Rest.  What are we so afraid we might miss to let our minds wander for a day or just take the time to sit down with a friend without a schedule?  Why is it so hard to put aside the agenda to just be?  I have to say, I'm preaching to the choir on this subject.

I was feeling pretty run down myself, and knowing Mono was running through the house and my vulnerability to Mono from previously have it, I thought I better take the time to get myself checked out by a doctor.  It turns out that my thyroid doesn't seem to be working right and there are some high cholesterol issues that are needing my attention.  I'm thankful for an easy answer to my tiredness and health, but it has got me thinking about adjustments that I need to make in my life.  I need to evaluate my priority list once again.  Those things that I say are most important need to be made a priority to those things that are just added for fun.  I have to find a way to make the most of my moments, taking time to rest instead of getting in just one more activity.

What about you?  Can you relate?  Maybe your busyness has taken away from your relationship with the Heavenly Father too.  He's calling us to Him everyday.  He wants us to learn to rest in Him and trust that He will guide us where our feet need to be.  I plan to take some time this week to just rest and create a plan in how I'm going to get myself back to better health, in every aspect in my life.  I know, with God's help, I will get there.

Blessings, 
Angie