The Lord worked for 6 days to make heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it, but on the 7th day He did not work. That is why the Lord has blessed the Sabbath day and said it must be a holy day. Exodus 20:11, The Bible for the Deaf

 

Looking back at this month’s devotionals so far, I’ve noticed a word that the word “overwhelmed” keeps popping up. It’s actually a bit sobering to realise that I’m clearly in a life stage where I regularly feel this emotion.

 

Someone once told me that one of life’s biggest challenges is that the period where we work the hardest on our careers often overlaps with raising young families.

 

Of course, I know not everyone reading this has young kids. Maybe you remember that chaotic season, but it’s long gone. Maybe there are other things that overwhelm you and leave you feeling stretched thin.

 

Whatever your circumstances, we all need time to fill our cups.

 

With our family expecting another baby soon, the past few months have been filled to the brim and wild as can be! At one point, we were racing from one thing to the next every weekend, and by Monday, I was extremely tired. Work starts again and a new week with its own challenges begins, and you just have to keep going.

 

I quickly realised that I can’t help my family fill their cups if mine is nearly always empty.

 

God knew right from the beginning that we’d always need time to rest, breathe and be still. We can’t just keep going full steam ahead, no matter how ambitious, busy, capable or successful we are. Everyone needs time to breathe.

 

Give yourself and your loved ones that time. Make time to be still with God, to rest and just be together.

 

Even God decided to take a break.

 

Prayer: Thank you, dear Lord, for reminding us that we, too, need to stop, be still and rest. Help me to recharge my own batteries at your feet so that I can face life with renewed joy and energy. Amen.