Happy Monday!
Over the last few weeks, I’ve had several conversations about ego vs. piety. Each time it gave me pause to consider how our pride sometimes interrupts our ability for respite. Being raised with the concept of work then play, I find it difficult to set aside tasks in favor of what seems like time wasted in self-indulgence. The sad thing is, I know it’s not only my challenge.
Many seldom find ways to disconnect for a while and simply rest. If we can manage to release some time for the experience, we find it challenging to justify simple pleasure. Sometimes we even create complicated respite plans that provide anything but relaxation.
We set out on a road trip. Maybe we spend the day working in the yard. I know people who find different kinds of work to do so as not to feel guilty about walking away from their careers for a few days. Don’t get me wrong, there’s value in all of those things, as long as we are intentional, genuinely finding the activities restful, and can recharge for the next day, week, or season.
I can remember being a child and having chores (Is that a dirty 6-letter word these days? LOL!) all day, not part of the day, but all day every Saturday of my formative years. On Sundays, we went to the earliest possible church service. We then spent time as a family wandering along a river, exploring flora and fauna, discovering desert secrets, or taking rides to see some attraction or another.
Often, we would hike or drive to see some seasonal flower fields or seasonal fruits. These were beautiful days spent with my Pop, who worked six days a week and what seemed like all of our waking and sleeping hours, except for Sundays. Sundays were dedicated to family until after dinner. I cherished those times and would gladly exchange the simplicity of those memories for the complicated attempts I’ve come to know.
One of the most delightful consequences of those lazy days was the peace they brought to our family. I could literally let down my guard (another story for another day) and just be. Can you remember a time of being comfortable and simply existing in whatever surroundings in which you found yourself? These were times, perhaps precursors, to moments in the present when I feel connected within myself and amidst the circumstances around me. It’s as if my spirit is at ease and that, I believe, is true respite.
This quote from Pema Chodron, a contemporary Buddhist nun, author, and teacher, captures the essence of what I’ve just described with the following thoughts:
Our egos are what bind us to our humanness. We find ourselves in the continual struggle of the divide between good vs. evil, judgment vs. grace, and separation vs. inclusion. As you may have heard, our spirit recognizes that we are spiritual beings navigating an earthly experience, which underscores the spirit’s need for unity, wholeness, and healing.
Scripture shares several views about rest:
“By the seventh day, God had finished his work, and so he rested.” Genesis 2:2 (CEV)
“So the people rested on the seventh day.” Exodus 16:30 (ESV)
“I tell myself, you can be at peace again because the Lord has been good to you.” Psalm 116:7 (CEB)
And my favorite:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)
We need rest. We need time to mend the division and separation that occurs as a natural consequence of our busy lives. We need to allow ourselves to unify and heal, so we can be effective in the ways we communicate and interact with others. And we need to be able to model healthy living and balance to our children and to others with whom we have influence.
This week, consider planning some time for yourself or make it a group or family affair. If we collectively allow time to regenerate our minds, bodies, and spirits, our impact will be more substantial. We’ll also be able to continue with our work and purposes longer, particularly when we lean into our God-given purposes. Imagine having energy and a clear head, all the while remaining in a posture of peace!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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