Rest Comes In Many Forms...

My eyes are heavy.

My body is tired.

I can't stop yawning.

All I want to do is climb into my bed, get snug under my comforter, crawl into the fetal position, and sleep.

I want to sleep for hours.

And hours.

But due to the demands of my 6-week old and my very active toddler, along with all of the other duties of the woman of the house, there's a slim to none chance that will happen.  A girl can dream though, right?

I don't know about you, but when I'm tired, my usually calm disposition is challenged.  Things that normally wouldn't bother me become a nuisance, and I become a bit snappy.  OK, well maybe more than a bit.  The claws come out, and anyone in my path, or in my house, gets scratched.

I don't like when I get that way.

Last night, I was feeling totally exhausted after a long day with the kids.  My oldest son Joey came into my room, and threw himself on me.  In that moment, all I wanted was 5 good minutes to myself, so I snapped at him. "Get off of me. Go to your room. Leave me alone."  He looked at me as if he saw horns coming out of my head.

"You don't have to be so mean. I just wanted to give you a hug" he said, as he walked away.  I bet he was thinking, that crazy lady!

I felt so bad.  I had to check myself. Quick. 

I whispered a Lord-help-me-give-me-strength-prayer, and went into my son's room to repent.  "Mama's just tired" I said. "Your little brothers have worn me out today."  He then said something to me that was so profound.  He said, "It's not my fault they made you tired. You shouldn't take it out on me. I was just trying to give you some love."

My young son had just taught his mom a lesson...and inspired today's blog post.

All too often, we punish good people for the bad things that others have done to us.  That's not right. 

Your previous boyfriends cheated on you and treated you like dirt, so when a good guy comes into your life you make him pay for what they did by hardening your heart towards him. You're tired of opening your heart.

Your previous friendships all ended in betrayal, so when a genuine friend enters your life, you push them away by not allowing yourself to trust them. You're tired of trusting people.

You experienced church hurt at your previous church, so when the Lord leads you to a new place, you won't allow yourself to get involved in ministry because you think that all of "them church folks" are the same.  You're tired of the church.

This is wrong, wrong, wrong.  You cannot make today pay the cost for yesterday.  Being exhausted from one situation does not give you the right to take your frustration out on the next.  One has nothing to do with the other.  In fact, that new relationship, friendship, church, business opportunity, or whatever the case, could be the very thing to finally give you a sense of rest.

God rejuvenates us in many ways, so resolve to no longer push people, or opportunities, away because you're physically, spiritually, or emotionally exhausted.  By the way, I realized that God was using my son to refresh me with his hug last night.  It caused my irritability to rest.

Rest comes in many forms; don't miss it.

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your week-end!

~Keish~