September 2nd, 2024
by Oluseye Ashiru
by Oluseye Ashiru
Hello, Kingdom Moms!
We all know the drill: Wake up, feed the kids, clean the house, work, run errands, school pick-up, more chores, dinner, bedtime—and repeat. It’s like a never-ending cycle of activity that often leaves us feeling drained. As moms, we wear so many hats—wife, homemaker, teacher, caregiver, cook, counselor, and the list goes on. And let's be honest, sometimes we feel like we’re running on empty. But what if I told you that rest isn’t just a luxury; it’s actually a command from God, and it’s the secret to thriving in the middle of the madness?
Yup, you heard me right: Rest is spiritual, and it’s essential to your health and peace.
We all know the drill: Wake up, feed the kids, clean the house, work, run errands, school pick-up, more chores, dinner, bedtime—and repeat. It’s like a never-ending cycle of activity that often leaves us feeling drained. As moms, we wear so many hats—wife, homemaker, teacher, caregiver, cook, counselor, and the list goes on. And let's be honest, sometimes we feel like we’re running on empty. But what if I told you that rest isn’t just a luxury; it’s actually a command from God, and it’s the secret to thriving in the middle of the madness?
Yup, you heard me right: Rest is spiritual, and it’s essential to your health and peace.
Why Rest is a Divine Command (Not a Suggestion)
Let’s start with some truth from the Bible: God Himself rested! In Genesis 2:2-3, it says that after six days of creating the universe, "on the seventh day God finished His work… and rested." Hold up. If the Creator of the universe—who was doing some pretty important work—took time to rest, what makes us think we’re exempt?
God didn’t rest because He was tired. He rested to celebrate His work and to set a pattern for us. Rest is about restoring, recharging, and stepping back to recognize the goodness of what we’ve done.
The Fourth Commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 tells us to “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy,” setting aside time to rest, just like God did. It’s not a suggestion, it’s a commandment. And here’s the kicker: it’s not just about resting from work—it’s about resting in God’s provision and trust in His sovereignty. Taking a Sabbath is a way of saying, "I trust that God has it all under control, even when I’m not doing everything."
God didn’t rest because He was tired. He rested to celebrate His work and to set a pattern for us. Rest is about restoring, recharging, and stepping back to recognize the goodness of what we’ve done.
The Fourth Commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 tells us to “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy,” setting aside time to rest, just like God did. It’s not a suggestion, it’s a commandment. And here’s the kicker: it’s not just about resting from work—it’s about resting in God’s provision and trust in His sovereignty. Taking a Sabbath is a way of saying, "I trust that God has it all under control, even when I’m not doing everything."
Rest = Trust
Here's the thing: we live in a culture that worships busy—the more we do, the more successful we feel. But as a Kingdom Mom, we’re called to a different rhythm. True rest comes from trusting that God is in control, and that it’s okay to pause. Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us that Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” You don’t have to keep running on fumes. You can come to Him, let go of the pressure, and find peace.
When we rest, we’re practicing trust. We’re saying, “God, I believe that You’ve got my family, my work, my dreams, my goals, and my life. I can step away for a bit because You are in control.” It’s freeing!
When we rest, we’re practicing trust. We’re saying, “God, I believe that You’ve got my family, my work, my dreams, my goals, and my life. I can step away for a bit because You are in control.” It’s freeing!
How to Carve Out Rest in Your Busy Life
Okay, now that we know rest is holy, how in the world do we actually make it happen when we’re juggling 392 things at once? (I’m guessing you can relate!)
Here are some practical tips to help you actually embrace the rest you deserve:
Here are some practical tips to help you actually embrace the rest you deserve:
- Schedule it. Seriously.
I know, I know—you're like, "But I'm too busy to schedule rest!" But hear me out. If you don't intentionally plan time for rest, the to-do list will always push it aside. So, put it in your calendar like it’s an important meeting. It’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have. - Let go of guilt.
Moms, I know that feeling. You take a nap, and the guilt creeps in like, "I should be doing something!" But here’s the truth: God doesn’t want you to run yourself ragged. You can’t pour into your family from an empty cup. Rest isn’t selfish—it’s self-care, and it's necessary for you to serve your family well. - Create a Sabbath atmosphere.
Maybe it’s not always feasible to take a full day of rest (let's be real), but you can create a mini Sabbath atmosphere in your life. Light a candle, put on some worship music, and get quiet for 10-20 minutes. Reflect on the goodness of God, meditate on His Word, and allow your spirit to catch up with your body. Even small moments of intentional quiet time can make a huge difference in your peace. - Get Help!
Here’s a radical idea: ask for help. Yes, ask your spouse, your family, or even a trusted friend to watch the kids while you take a break. Trust me, the world will not fall apart if you step away for a few hours. - Rest doesn’t always mean sleep.
Rest can look different for everyone. Maybe it’s going for a walk, reading a book, taking a bath, or even watching a favorite show. Find what recharges you and prioritize it.
The Heart of the Matter: Rest in Him
At the end of the day, rest isn’t just about taking naps or escaping your responsibilities. It’s about aligning your heart with God’s rhythm. It’s about letting go of the hustle and taking a moment to remember that you’re not doing this alone. God is with you, and He promises to give you rest.
So this week, I encourage you to take a deep breath, step back, and give yourself permission to rest. The world will keep spinning, but you’ll be more equipped to face it when you’re well-rested and centered in Christ.
Challenge:
Set aside one intentional time of rest this week. Whether it’s a full Sabbath day, an hour of quiet time, or simply taking a nap—commit to it and embrace the peace that comes with trusting God.
In the next blog, we’ll dive into the spiritual nourishment needed for every Kingdom Mom. Stay tuned as we explore simple yet powerful ways to keep your soul fed and your spirit thriving!
So this week, I encourage you to take a deep breath, step back, and give yourself permission to rest. The world will keep spinning, but you’ll be more equipped to face it when you’re well-rested and centered in Christ.
Challenge:
Set aside one intentional time of rest this week. Whether it’s a full Sabbath day, an hour of quiet time, or simply taking a nap—commit to it and embrace the peace that comes with trusting God.
In the next blog, we’ll dive into the spiritual nourishment needed for every Kingdom Mom. Stay tuned as we explore simple yet powerful ways to keep your soul fed and your spirit thriving!
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