Time for a Rest!

Dear Blog,

I've been away for awhile. I know I've missed opportunities to share my writing experiences and my Joyful Jottings with you. I'd like to say I've been away on vacation, or that the editing of my second book  is completed, but that is not the case.

Oh, where has the time gone? August and September flew by, and so did the time I had to post entries. Then October came, bringing with it added responsibilities to an already full schedule.

With work hours completed for the week, I delved into my "at home" job--editing chapters of the Bible study I am writing. At 3:00a.m. I was quite tired and found myself falling asleep at the computer. Just then I realized I'd missed my deadline for Joyful Jottings. It was a self-imposed deadline, but one I'd committed to when I started the blog.

I was upset I hadn't prepared a topic to write about, but I was too tired to stay awake. More like exhausted. I sank into bed, my eyes closing the moment I hit the pillow. I'd hoped maybe I'd just sleep for a little while, then wake up and write an entry for Joyful Jottings. That did not happen, however, as I slept until my alarm went off. Then it was time to go to work (I work twelve-hour night shifts as a nurse). 

One day, while flipping through pages of my Bible, I came across the story in Matthew 14 of Jesus feeding the loaves and fish to the 5,000. I'd learned the story as a child, but did not recollect the details--until now. I continued to read. After Jesus performed the miracle, he sent the disciples off, then he went up to the mountainside by himself, where he prayed.

There are many other instances in the Bible that mention Jesus going off to be by himself--to the mountains, the wilderness, or the desert. Often surrounded by crowds of people, teaching, preaching, and healing, I suppose you could say in today's terms that Jesus had a very "hectic schedule." People flocked to see him, and it is likely he had little time to himself. He kept busy carrying out his Father's will and spreading the Word of God. It is no wonder he needed time to go off my himself to pray and to rest. 

 I thought about Jesus' need to find time to be alone, away from the chaos of daily life. I believe He set a good example for us to follow. We can work hard, but we also need time to rest, physically and spiritually. 

In past weeks when I reached the point of exhaustion, I would retreat to a quiet part of the house. Free of distractions of the computer and the phone, I rested peacefully. I also realized I was able to focus more clearly to pray. 

I feel more rested now, and am happy to finally bring you this post to Joyful Jottings. (Good things can come through adversity).

My prayer for you is that you will find time away from all that is hectic in your life. Slip away to a quiet place. Do as Jesus did--pray--and rest.