James Duff September 4th 2016 ~ Take Time to Rest!

14 hours!  I slept 14 hours last night.  I left church after our staff meeting and lay down on my bed at 5pm and awoke at 7am!  I can’t recall ever sleeping that long.  I must have needed it.  We have been fighting sickness at the Duff home this week with all the boys and Jane having time off school and work to rest and recover.  Like all years when the cold days linger and the ‘to do’ lists lengthen, we can find ourselves stressed, tired and sick.The Bible says much about resting and how to live a balanced life.  Below is a diagram that emphasises how we are designed not to rest from work; rather, to work from a place of rest.This is such a difficult thing to do as our western culture has less and less resting rhythms embedded in our days, weeks and years.  Businesses trading hours are longer, weekends hardly seem different to weekdays, grandparents are babysitting more than ever as families are stretched to work more to pay the mortgage and keep up their lifestyle.You may detect some slight sarcasm but I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to wanting the lifestyle.  My parents have been visiting from NSW and have stayed with us for nearly a month.  It has been wonderful to see them again and for them to spend time with our children.  I must admit that I really loved how they cooked meals, cleaned the house, did washing, took the kids to school and took Jane and me out for lunch.  It was bliss!Resting is crucial.  Why not look at your diaries and cancel a few appointments and rest?  Take the time to read a book, stay in your pyjamas all morning, or watch your favorite TV show.  Some people rest by doing something they love, like going for a walk with a friend, riding a bike or going out for a meal.  Whatever gives you rest, be encouraged to be intentional in making the time for it.  Jesus did it, so we must.BlessingsJames