When to Rest

Years ago a wise friend counseled me to guard my time.  Make sure there is time for family, meal times and times of worshiping together.  I've tried to consistently be aware of those time stealers and guarded how much the children were involved in.

Times are changing.

Our kids are getting older and beginning to test their wings.  Our oldest son owns his own car now.  He bought it with his own money, but my Mr. G wants him to have more behind-the-wheel time in his car in hazardous driving conditions before allowing him to take his behind-the-wheel driving test.  He could pass it right now, but my husband would prefer to have the peace of mind in knowing that he knows what to do if he ever needed to drive in weather.  

Once he gets his driver's license he will be "cut loose"--in a manner of speaking--to head out and find a job.  He is a senior in high school this year, but he needs to have a job to pay for his vehicle expenses.  With his up and coming job, time together as a family is at a premium at this point.  He won't be able to go with us on many more vacations or family outings.  It will be time for him to spread his wings and fly.  In the mean time, we cherish every moment of time we have together as a family.  Once he spreads his wings, our family dynamic will change.  It's both exciting to see, but also bittersweet for this Momma's heart.  

Time is so very elusive.  Sometimes it runs by fast and other times so very slowly.  Time to make sure everything gets accomplished that is needful is right where I am right now.  The schedule for our comings and goings is getting busier, so time spent together as a family will have to be rethought and moments in the vehicle capitalized on as best as possible.  Discussions need to be made the best of with purposeful meaning or with erupting silliness.  The times together in this way need to be planned out whether it is to listen to scripture, Christian radio, sermons, or a young person's choice of venue.  Purposeful discussions need to be planned out in advance with topics such as is needful whether political in nature, therapeutic or character development.  

With all of this coming and going with activity, it begs to question "When does someone rest?"  In my humble opinion, rest is not only wanted, but desperately necessary.  In six days the Lord worked to create the entire earth and universe, filling it with every kind of creature as well as man and woman.  On the 7th day, He rested.  My Mr. G and I have come to the conclusion that "our" 7th day is the day we'll rest.  Since his schedule is not really set in stone as of yet, we follow what it is for that given week.  While I try to rest for half of my Sundays while he is at work, I also try to rest with him on his 7th day.  Yes, I know the Lord rested on the 7th day.  Yes, I know He didn't break his resting up in to two half days.  However, the Lord knows my heart and I'll let Him be the guide for me of when to rest.  In a couple of weeks things will change again, then my rest days will change.  For now, though, I rest on half days.  

My young folks rest their minds from school on Sundays.  They work hard on everything every day, so they need a brain break.  They've decided to join Civil Air Patrol and with all the work involved with that program, their work load (and subsequently mine) will increase depending on their rate of progression in ranks through the program.  They need brain breaks on Sundays.  It's a good thing. 

God Bless,