By Katy Mariotti

Rest and Help

“Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.  In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.”
Exodus 34:21, English Standard Version

I have to admit, adding a third baby to our family has also added a certain amount of overwhelm.  I start every day by going, “okay, how will we make this work?”  The combination of all our activities, work, school, feeding the baby, and doing housework fills each day to the brim.  And even when I am trying to make it work, it’s not always working well.  You should see the state of my house!

Recently my kids had a day off of school.  It was a day I’d normally catch up on laundry and try to straighten up a little.  That morning my temptation was to put the kids to work with chores.  But you know what?  Their days are overwhelming too.  They’re going to school, doing activities, chasing after their baby brother, and learning so many things all the time.  So instead of working, we went to an indoor play area where all three of them could play.

I like this verse in Exodus because it reminds us that no matter how busy we might be, rest is important.  Probably MORE important the busier we are.  I think sometimes we think self-care is being selfish, but the Bible consistently encourages rest.  It also encourages us to watch out for each other.  On their day off, I got to provide some mental rest for my children.  My husband did the same for me the next day when he took all three kids out and I was home alone for maybe the first time since the baby was born!  That little bit of time did so much for me; it was easier to manage the whole rest of the week because I had a little rest.

Today, don’t forget to take care of yourself.  Rest.  And then in turn, provide rest for someone you care about.  God made us to care for ourselves and others!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado