R & R?

Yesterday around noon I began feeling a little sniffly. Within the hour I noticed that my throat was a bit sore. Before the clock struck the next half hour, my head began pulsating from its inner cavities. Hello, fall head cold!

I hate being sick. Nothing is worse than feeling both gross AND useless. Yet I suspect that, at times, it is exactly what I need.

I am always first in line to offer a new mom advice, "Nap lots. Ignore the housework - you can get caught up later. For now, make sure you get enough rest." Taking that same advice in my own life, though, feels frivolous. After all, I am not a new mom. I am not even a particularly busy mom of little ones anymore (come on, I have two mornings per week child-free!).

We live in a "go, go, go" culture and it is uncommon (scorned, even) when people take the time to stop and rest. But God calls us to rest. In fact, He commands us to take one day per week, set it aside, make it Holy, do no work, and rest in His presence. (see Exodus 20:8)

As much as being sick stinks, I am going to do my best to look at it as a blessing - an opportunity for rest. I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that God caused me to be sick, but I do believe He is using it to remind me of what my body and soul need on a regular basis. I wonder, if I took time to rest regularly, would have gotten sick at all? Hmmm...

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." ~Exodus 33:14