But How Can I Get it All Done? {GIVE AWAY DAY}
Today, I am so excited to have as my guest my writing friend, Katie Reid. Katie and I met at She Speaks last summer, where I was immediately drawn her to warm smile!
Here’s Katie:
“I knew I should be more intentional about Sabbath (a day set apart for the Lord and recuperation) but I thought it had to look a certain way too. Since it hardly ever looked “that way,” I often felt restless about getting rest “right.”
Some friends of mine are more purposeful when it comes to Sabbath. Some don’t go out to eat because that causes others work on the Sabbath. Others implement no screen time on their day of rest. Some mandate a nap (yes, please!). Some do yard work. Some sleep in. Some go adventuring. Some are physically active, others avoid it all costs. Some brunch at a leisurely hour. And some are required to work on Sundays, so they pick another day to chill.
Have you felt unsure about what a day of rest should look like?
Fielding questions about Sabbath now:
“Can we go out to eat?”
“Should I do housework?”
“Should we allow technology?”
“Do I need to connect with God for hours in order for it to count?”
Good questions. I’m glad you asked. Here are my off-the-top-of-my-head responses (for what they’re worth):
“Yes!”
“Definitely not. Let’s just say it’s not allowed. Like ever!”
“I dunno know. I try not to, but it doesn’t seem to stick.”
“Grace Darling, so much grace.”
Much to my surprise, my family is hungry every Sunday—of all the nerve! No grace for that. J/K! #kindof (insert sheepish and conflicted emoji face).Thankfully, we’ve uncovered the beauty of leftovers, a.k.a. Operation Fend For Yourself.
Sometimes our kids have soccer games on Sundays. Although we enjoy cheering them on, we miss our afternoon nap on those days.
Sometimes our day of rest (whether it’s Sunday or another day) is filled up by our own choosing, but other times, unexpected things disrupt our ideal.
It can be hard to rest on the inside when there is a flurry of activity happening around you—self-induced or otherwise. Like the crowds that pressed in on Jesus and vied for his attention, you can’t always retreat from the hustle and bustle.
We need time to recharge (Jesus did that after all). But beach vacations (my favorite way to unwind: staring at waves, hearing the caw of gulls overhead, sipping iced tea with lemon, reading a book, not being interrupted…insert contented sigh) are few and far between. And if we wait to spend time with Jesus until the conditions are ideal, we never will.
Instead of being annoyed that your day of rest is not as serene as you’d like, why not connect with God in the midst of it?
Rest can look a thousand different ways. Let’s ask God for wisdom to rest in ways that focus on Him and refresh us. Yes, we need shuteye. Yes, time away is important. Yes, a break helps us recharge, but the peace of Jesus’s Presence is carried within us at any and all times—waiting to be enjoyed.
Rest is not something to search for, but Someone to be with.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” -Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)”
Katie has just released a new book: Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done.
Are you a Martha who feels guilty for not being a Mary?
Do you want to sit at Jesus’s feet as Mary did —but you feel the need to get things done. In Made Like Martha, Katie M. Reid invites you to exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom without abandoning your doer’s heart in the process.
With reflection questions, “It Is Finished” activities at the end of each chapter, and a five-week Bible study included, Made Like Martha helps you find rest from striving even as you celebrate your God-given design to “do.”
Made Like Martha makes for a great book club and/or bible study. Consider sharing information about the book with the Women’s Ministry Director at your church.
Today, Katie is giving away a copy of Made Like Martha to one of my readers. To enter to win, simply comment in the blog post below What are some of your favorites ways to rest? (If you receive this via email, please click here to go to my blog to comment.) ** US Entries only. **
The winner is Noelle who posted on July 19th. Congrats, Noelle!
Katie M. Reid is a wife, mom to five, and a fan of cut-to-the-chase conversations over iced tea. Katie is also a speaker, bible study facilitator, and author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done (which includes a 5-week bible study for individuals and groups). She encourages others to find grace in the unraveling of life at katiemreid.com. Subscribe to Katie’s site and receive resources to help you breathe deeply and walk freely.
Goodness if this book title isn’t me I don’t know one that fits better. I’ve always been a get things done girl and in recent years have started to see the blessings I miss if I don’t reign this in sometimes to just be with the people God has placed in my life instead of doing for them. I recognize the issue but haven’t fully grasped the execution of the solution so I’d love this book! Some of my best ways to rest are reading and listening to music…I love old southern gospel quartet music.
Thank you so much for hosting me at your place, Lynn!
My favorite ways to rest is to sit on my back deck and just look at creation and go from moments of silence to talking to God aloud.
Depends on what I am resting from lol, rocking my 4 year old gives me a restful feeling from my day, I rest during my quiet time with God from my troubles, and I rest my hurting heart when I visit my oldest sons grave.
A favorite way for me to rest is sitting out on Lake Michigan with friends or family. But right now I’m experiencing a time of God saying “rest because you have to”, while recovering from surgery.
My favorite way to rest is a walk in God’s creation.
My favorite way to rest is to take a quiet walk in nature or in a park. I also love the luxury of being able to lay down on the couch with a book! I have a hard time not feeling guilty though. That’s why Katie’s message resonates with me so much. I know I need to let go of that guilt. Love the idea of rest being Someone to be with.
Oh my, Lynn! You perfectly described my favorite rest at the beach…but like you, those times don’t happen often enough. I’m learning to intentionally choose one day of the weekend to step back from normal activity for a few hours. I haven’t mastered a day yet! For example, I push to get groceries in on Saturday so I’m not forced to do that Sunday afternoon. Hubby turns in a golf match and I rest my head and it’s glorious to just stop.
Loved your post, love our friend Katie!
I love to rest by being at the beach. thank you for giving us a chance to win
I rest on Sundays – I usually put my computer away in a closet or even the safe 😉 to get away from it all. I have put strict rules on myself so that I rest and not be tempted to “work”. I’m such a Martha girl and so are most of the gals I mentor. I would love a copy to give away to them so we can go through it together!