Along the way, I learned not to ignore taking a break when the children—and I especially—needed to rest.
Below is an excerpt from Beth Sterne’s website Put Off Procrastination. Put on Peace. Here
Some years ago our son entered the front door and saw me sitting on the sofa reading a book. He stopped immediately and said, “I want to see more of that around here!”
He knew the path of my feet should take me to rest along the way. And he knew I most often ignored that truth.
Since “rest” is “to cease work in order to relax or refresh oneself,” we see rest as self- serving. Let’s realize it means being a good steward of the heart, mind, and body God has given us to use on earth.
What are two “rest busters” that steal our refreshment?
Viewing activities as requirements instead of opportunities. We don’t have to participate in every educational, church, business, or social function.
Not setting boundaries. Sometimes, by taking on every project or fetching whatever is wanted, we’ve “taught” colleagues and family we don’t need rest.
If appropriate, we can say, “No, not now. These are Mom’s Minutes to be quiet.”
