While on retreat a couple of months ago, I flipped through a magazine in my hermitage to see if anything captured my attention. Indeed there was!
I found an article written by Becky Eldrege from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She wrote about making time for rest – a great topic for someone on retreat, as I am always searching for time to rest and be with God in prayer.
She wrote about how some people can get away for a sabbath day, or even for multiple days; but she couldn’t as a parent with kids at home. From driving them to and fro, to laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc., there was simply no time to break away. (Sound familiar?) But then, someone told her about doing a sabbath in another way. She called it R.E.S.T. – Renewing, Energy, Spirit, Time. The thought is to think about moments in your day where you can incorporate rituals of R.E.S.T. If you cannot take an entire day (as many of us cannot), look for small spaces of time for God to renew your spirit. Think of Jesus’ words, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~MT 11:28.
Begin to think how you can discern ways to put R.E.S.T. into practice. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Prayer and a morning beverage. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, find your prayer chair, and sit in silence with the Lord. (You may have to get up a bit early so you have peace and quiet.) Then, do a morning prayer, Liturgy of the Hours, scripture reading, readings of the day, meditation, spiritual reading, etc. Whatever helps you rest with God. (I’ve been doing this for years and it is a great way to start your day.)
- Take a walk outside. Another great way to start your day, get some exercise, and clear your mind so you can be with God fully and completely. Breathe in the air of our creator.
- Make a connection. Make time to spend with friends or even make new ones. Social interaction is good for the soul and it provides a sense of true connection.
- Reignite your passions. Remember those things you used to love doing but stopped because of other commitments and priorities? Start these again and allow your creativity to flow. Find new life in the things that bring you joy.
This ritual of R.E.S.T. is yet another tool to help deepen your relationship with God and others. Get creative and find additional ways to incorporate Renewing Energy in Spirit Time. You’ll be glad you did!
Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. And whoever enters into God’s rest, rests from his own works as God did from his. ~Hebrews 4:9-10
It is so important to rest in the Lord. Find out why here.
