Why is it so hard to find time for a break? When I was in high school I ran around everywhere; from this practice to that, to school, to church, and out with friends, never ceasing from the running. But, it was my decision. I became overwhelmed and tired both emotionally and physically. And so when I went to college I decided I would try and take it a little easier.
But college wasn’t much better. Not necessarily because I chose to do a lot, but more because studying was what I had to do if I wanted to get through. And that took a lot of time and a lot of focus.
But now here I am. I have no real excuse. I really don’t do that much; granted I do have a wedding I’m planning and I teach Sunday school and go to work everyday, but in the evenings I really don’t do anything much. I work out with Katie sometimes or we go shopping and have dinner, but that’s really about it. But I feel like I don’t ever get a break. I think that’s in part because the weekends are so booked with “stuff.” Interviews with florists, dress fittings, and the most recent, Thanksgiving. I was really hoping Thanksgiving would be restful this year; I thought both Craig and I were going to be commitment free at least one of the days of the vacation, but it just turned out that we weren’t. And so here I am, the Tuesday after, feeling as though I haven’t slept in a week, feeling as though I haven’t had a day off to myself in over a year, and dreading the fact that I will be traveling to Iowa early Wednesday morning to stand in the cold all day Thursday and get home late that night, just in time to go to bed and get up for work the next day. But what am I supposed to do about all this “stuff?” If I tell my family that I can’t come to Thanksgiving because I just need a day off from things, then everyone starts to think there’s something wrong with me. (I guess there is…it’s called exhaustion.) But really, all I want right now is just one day with Craig, completely alone, a day all to ourselves to relax and remember why we’re getting married in the first place.
Jesus was so good a taking time off. I wish I was more like him in that arena. I so look forward to April 5, 2009. That will be a day of rest. If the eternity of rest doesn’t come first.
I imagine you doing these things and can understand exactly how you feel. In part, subconsciously, it is a decision we’ve made to let ourselves be tired. It’s not only physical activity that creates this. Mental and emotional stress can be worse than physical activity. But that’s difficult to diagnose or control until it’s too late.
A friend of mine told me Saturday that she schedules her time alone or with a special someone, not to be anal, but to be able to tell someone that she has an appointment she can’t break. People will steal every last minute and ounce of energy from you if you let them.
You are so right about Jesus’ example! I spoke about the Sabbath a while back on my blog, that we should consider it again. Not as a religious requirement, but imagine one day a week (heck, one day a month) fully devoted to resting body, mind, and soul in order to remember who gives it all to us and refresh us for more service and glorifying his name.