Don't Have Time To Rest?

We would be better parents if we had more time for ourselves and for our children.

Most of our hearts resonate with that statement.

With more time we could engage our children unhurriedly. They could engage in a slower, more simple home-life with us. The crises would still flare up – but would feel less desperate. A life more present, available, and unhurried.

A slower life would build a foundation of security, trust, and relationship few get to experience.

But it would take a great amount of re-orientation – for our children and for us. And few of us could afford to give ourselves more margin.

Or could we?

Scripture addresses that conflict of maintaining the ‘status quo’ – as opposed to stepping out of the mad scramble and into relational health. Throughout Scripture we are told to ‘rest’, not worry, and trust God for the ‘good life’.

Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain;
unless the LORD watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.
In vain you get up early and stay up late, eating food earned by hard work;
certainly He gives sleep to the ones He loves.
– Psalm 127 (part 1)

All throughout Scripture true faith in God is equated to ‘resting’ in God. But this short, two-part Psalm makes an interesting connection for us parents. While the first section tells us our striving – on its own – is fruitless, the second suggests investing in our children is profoundly worthwhile:

Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, children, a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior […]
Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them… 
– Psalm 127 (part 2)

We invite you – along with us – to ask God about your pace of life and what His desire is for your health, and the relational health of your family.

Ask Him:

What – specifically – would I lose by making more time for our family? Can You replace that loss? Can I trust You to fill in the gaps?
(Wait a few minutes in silence for Him to speak His answer to your heart.)