If you own a cat, you know that they do not need to read
this particular post. I’m not sure what
recipe God used in their DNA, but it included the sleep gene in multiples. Cats don’t need courage to lay back and slow down. But people do.
Somewhere along the line we’ve whipped our race (the human
one, that is) into a frenzy of moving at breakneck pace for days on end, early
in the morning to late at night. Taking
a lunch break is akin to breaking the commandments.
What is at the root of this whirl wind of noise and
motion? Why is it so contrary to our
nature to sit or stroll or God forbid, take a nap?
I can’t speak for the whole world. But I live in one person’s antsy skin, and
here’s how she sees it.
I don’t slow down when I’m most afraid.
What will happen if I don’t squeeze as much into a day as I
possibly can? I fear being a bad mother
if my children have to eat spaghetti with Hunt’s sauce for a day instead of a healthy
salad, chicken, rice and a corresponding vegetable. So I over extend myself and snap at my family
instead. Fear leads me from bad to
worse.
Is it so important that I answer every email in a timely manner? Yes, because I’m afraid a coworker will think
I’m less than reliable, or a friend will think I’m less than loyal, or the
school will wonder if I really care about my kid. Can you hear the unmitigated pride and fear
in all of these matters? So I rush to
complete one thing with my mind on the next, spinning around being the center
of my own universe, so very discontented.
So very tired.
It takes courage to stop the runaway train. To stand in the middle of your own tracks and
put up your hands and say “enough”.
"Come with me by yourselves to a
quiet place and get some rest."
Mark 6:31
Here is the One who had 3 years to
accomplish the redemption of the entire world.
Here is One who walked many a mile, but also sat and ate and drank and
enjoyed little kids and told stories.
Jesus was a busy man.
But again, and this theme seems to keep
repeating itself during these 31 days, He didn’t fear man. He only feared God. And the Father says we are to rest. He even pounded the idea into the heads of
his very own people for thousands of years.
Sabbath rest is a command, not a suggestion.
The courage to change our ways and slow
down is one of those small acts of bravery that may not be seen on the outside,
but can do us a world of inward good.
Tomorrow, I’m taking a lunch
break. Because the cemetery is full of
men who were indispensable. I’ll go
ahead and feel the fear of not getting it all done, and I’ll survive. Who’d of thought you could find a little
courage in a comfy chair somewhere with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
Meanwhile, the cats are snoring away as
I’m tapping away.
Time for me to go and get a little shut
eye.
Your friend on the pilgrim road,
Loriann
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