When my kids were little, finding a quiet place was next to impossible. I only have two children, but it felt like a hundred little people pressed up close asking for things 24/7. I’d take refuge behind a closed bathroom door for a few minutes before someone would start knocking.
But you know what? Seventeen years later that quiet place is still hard to get to. Now I juggle high school at home and non-profit service with any chance I get to write.
On Monday I wrote about Jesus’ invitation in Mark 6:31:
Half the time I’m too busy living to a relentless rhythm of exhaustion to even listen, much less accept His invitation. Life is loud. Many voices and demand cry out.
But to find rest that renews, we have to get to a quiet place.
Why is it so hard for us to get to there?
- Jesus’ invitation goes against our culture of productivity, which calls us to pack as much as possible into each day. But even the savviest productivity expert recommends time out to refuel!
- We feel twinges of guilt when we take a break from our families. We’re supposed to love them, right? But we all know we’re better wives and mothers when we take time out to refresh ourselves.
My quiet place has to be easy to get to, or I’ll never make it there. One of my readers commented on Monday that she eats her lunch alone most days in a beautiful, shady spot near her office. I love this idea because it fits into her life easily.
Here are 10 Ways to Find Rest That Renews.
1. Spend 20 minutes in the morning with God’s Word. It renews your perspective on life like nothing else.
2. Leave room for margin. Resist the urge to overschedule your day, packing it with activities back to back. You’ll end up running late and running stressed. Leave open spots for spontaneity, fun, and relaxing.
3. Create a quiet space in your home where you can go for a ten minute break. Maybe an armchair with a small table next to a window. Make it pretty by adding a decorative object you love. Keep a few books or a Bible on hand. Make it a place that communicates “quiet” to your brain when you sit down.
4. Take 15 minutes to do nothing. Breathe deep.
5. Hire a babysitter a few hours a week to take a break.
6. Go to the park and push your baby’s stroller. Sit down a few minutes with a journal while your kids play.
7. Take time each day to read something you enjoy.
8. Put the kids to bed early and sit on the couch.
9. Fall into bed early yourself.
10. Go on a date for fun or quiet conversation with your husband.
Do you have a quiet place in your life? If not, what could you do to get more space for refueling and renewing? I’m all for hearing new ideas.
I love this post full of ideas to slow down, Betsy. My favorites are #2, leaving empty spots in your day so you’re not always running and stressed, and #4, taking 15 minutes to do nothing. To Do Nothing. I feel more peaceful just imagining it! You’ve inspired me to find a way to work that into my evenings.
If you want to read more about margin(point #2), a great book is Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard Swenson. I loved it! Such a common sense approach. Hope you’ll enjoy evenings that arae more peaceful!
Thanks for the recommendation, Betsy! I’ll look for it on Amazon.
I’m an introvert, so spending time by myself is key to refueling so I can be pleasant around others ;). I start each morning with a homemade latte (decaf) and time with God. I find that by mid-afternoon, I’m ready for another ‘time out’, and most days I can take it. Of course, keeping Sabbath once a week is the key to remaining sane! One entire day to worry about nothing, spend time praising God with fellow believers and enjoying family and nature.
I love the way you put that, Anita. “Spending time by myself is key to refueling so I can be pleasant around others.” I get that totally. Believe me! Thanks for your comment.
Thank you for a great post! We all need time away to refuel, especially mothers of young families. We look forward to giving our daughter a respite when we take her five kids for a couple days so she and her husband can get away. Good for them, good for us and good for the kids!
Wow, Kathleen, you sound like a great mom and grandmother. Thanks for your input.
Good morning! I found you through the P31 website. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on rest here. You have some great suggestions!
Thanks for stopping by, Heather. It’s a privilege that you would read my words.