Rest

Photo by Suzanne Hazelbaker

Almighty God,

who after the creation of the world

rested from all you works 

and sanctified a day of rest 

for all your creatures: 

Grant that we,

putting away all earthly anxieties,

may be duly prepared 

for the service of your sanctuary, 

and that our rest here upon earth 

may be a preparation 

for the eternal rest 

promised to your people in heaven; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

(A collect for Saturdays from The Book of Common Prayer)

resting

as i tried to catch a picture of joshua brayden beast napping i was struck by how hard it is to be still, to rest, to re-create.


this week is one away from "work" yet how does one rest?  i could blame it on being in a small town and running into people when i am grocery shopping, getting gas, going to the drug store.  i could blame it on seeing people in need and knowing i am to reach out.  i could blame it on the fact i am on stay-cation rather than out of town.  wow, i could even blame it on my vocation.


the reality is just like my silly dog, i don't rest well.  an empty calendar feels, well "empty."  surely there is a task to do, an errand to run...and there are, yet this time is one to be refreshed not filled with "stuff."


the Sabbath is not something to rush toward and then collapse.  it is meant to renew and refill one, to provide a break that allows new energy, a refocused purpose, and a re-connection with the creator of the Sabbath .  


i've learned that i need that time or i will keep rushing, keep doing, keep, keep, keep...until i am a frazzled mess capable of doing nothing.  like my silly dog i rush to open my eyes and move rather than just being in the "emptiness" of time away...


God gently taps me on the shoulder and reminds me that rest, like all things, means letting go and giving control back to God...luckily there is patience with my learning curve and the moments of being still are slowly increasing.


waiting to catch joshua brayden beast's eyes closed for a picture i realize he is afraid of missing something...and i learn another lesson.

Be still, and know that I am God!

Psalm 46.10