Just rest, Mama. The Lord has been reminding me that rest is what I need. He’s been reminding me of the habit of rest. His habit of rest. He’s been telling me for several weeks. Step back and rest.

–> Step out of the urgent into the quiet, out of your regular spot. Look to the source of strength. (Luke 4: 42-43)

But, I must admit, I have been like Jonah. I’ve heard The Lord’s quiet whisper that I need to rest but I’ve still been running. Keeping on keeping on. I’m a busy mama and have this family to take care of. So I kept going. I was also forcing myself to start thinking and planning for next school year. There’s so much to do with a senior year on the horizon. And another senior year right after that one.

But I was running on empty. Stress led to knee inflammation. I rested some but got right back up. Then I injured my back from compensating for my knee. This next time was forced rest. Flat on my back was about all I could do for five days straight last month. I read an entire book. And it was pure pleasure. I rested. Really rested. Friends, His power is made perfect in weakness.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1: 2-3

But the Lord won’t let me go. Now I need to listen and obey. I need to rest. To step away. To really listen to His voice. To rest. To play.

So I am going to take my own advice. Yes, I’ve been saying for years that before all the homeschool planning, before all the curriculum choices, before…

Rest, mama.

It’s the very first step in that free Return of the Routine ebook I shared.

The habit of rest is an essential basic. This first step is the foundation. Because, often, if we skip this step, we find our routine quickly losing steam {raising my hand!}. Very first, and most important: What about your Mama heart? I’m pulling an excerpt…

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1. The Habit of Rest

You may still be feeling the weight of last year. Or you may be facing the overwhelming responsibility of the new school year. Allow yourself some rest. Pray that the Lord give you the motivation you need in the proper time. It will come. Don’t force it. Lean into Him and listen. Jesus set the example in getting away and getting with the Father.

I share with you an article I reread each year. It’s one my friend Cassandra Frear shared over at Habits for a Happy Home. It gives you permission. Below is an excerpt but I hope you will click over and sink into her words of encouragement…

It’s been a long year. But you have rested a little while, and there are tasks calling. You might, just possibly, gain a bit of leverage by starting to work now, filling your sacks of heavy sand and beginning the line of a wall along the river of next year’s demands. The river will rise. We all know it. Not next week, but maybe in a month, certainly in December with the storms of busyness over the holidays, and likely in the spring with all of its expectations.

But now, at this moment, your world is calm. The house rests, because you, Mama, are resting. Didn’t you know that? That your family can’t really rest, not sink deep into comfort like a downy pillow on a rainy afternoon, unless you are resting, too? Your body at rest, and your mind at rest, and your heart at rest, cast a blessing of rest over your small world.

—>  Please read the remainder of Rest, Mama.

We are not going to plunge head first into a routine. We are going to baby step it. Still that feeling of overwhelm. Just rest for now. And as you rest, talk to the Lord about the coming year. Your dreams, your concerns. Place them all in His hands.

In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength… Isaiah 30:15

Have you rested? Are you pulling last year’s burdens into this year? Overwhelmed with the responsibility of the coming year? Talk to Him about it. Rest in Him. Friends, before we can even begin to return to a routine we need to take the time to take care of ourselves.

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Yes, I need rest so I can listen. I want to hear. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

I will be asking. Asking for wisdom. James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

And I will wait for His timing. but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

More resources for the habit of rest:

• How are You Planning to Feed Your Soul This Year? – I read this last Sunday night and said, “Ok, I hear you, God.”
• The Power of Rest: Let Patience Have Its Perfect Work – then I read this last Thursday.
• Get your free ebook too (with that very first step #1 : REST) Return of the Routine: Six Simple Steps to Success

In Summary

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

“God created the universe in 6 days; he rested on the 7th. His message? “If creation didn’t crash when I rested, it won’t crash when you do!” – Max Lucado, Traveling Light

How about you??

-originally published July 2015

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