Jesus, I am Resting, Resting

Jesus I am resting, resting
In the joy of who you are
As I'm learning of the greatness
Of your loving heart.

This chorus has been running through my head ever since we sang it in Bible study. It seems this week has turned into a time of resting - spiritually and physically. After weeks of glorious stimulation, we needed some recuperation.

My mother--overachiever that she is--still taught me the value of rest and "downtime" as part of the rhythm of life. How we all need a seventh day, a seventh hour, not just as a means to be more productive, but as a value all its own.

I have observed two personal proofs of this concept in the last 10 years.

First, Josh started medical school, where they were taught everything except to value sleep. At the time, it seemed a blindspot. How could they forget to teach the well-documented importance of rest in preserving health? Later I realized it was strategic: you can hardly teach a classful of students about the importance of sleep and then tell them to work 30-hour days and 85-hour weeks. Still, the consequences were obvious; I was married to a partial zombie for 5 years.

More recently, the evidence has come in a smaller package. Noah has begun to form opinions, and I find I can measure the strength and ferocity of those opinions by the hours since his last nap. It's amazing how clearly his self-control and sin nature can be tied to his fatigue level.

I shouldn't be surprised; I've seen that pattern in his mother for years. ;) But it's good to be reminded - and to know that Josh agrees. Tonight at dinner, he volunteered, "I think we should instill good sleep habits in our kids." Coming from someone who's been conditioned by years of missed sleep, this was music to my ears. Our schedules are not always easy to control - and they're likely to get harder, but I thank God that staying home has allowed our whole family to slow its pace, be a little less productive with our time, and rest. We even have some time for worship...

Yes, I rest in thee, beloved
Know what wealth of grace is thine
Know thy certainty of promise
And have made it mine.