Rest Time...

Remember the days when our babies were little? I was actually bored- stuck at the house so often and feeling like I couldn't wait for the next phase...


Fast forward 8 years, here we are, 3 Marys and only one napping, and occasionally at best, and I still only sometimes remember rest time! Why is this? Life functions so much better for all of us when we stop to rest.


Why do I forget and forgo an hour of rest.....

1) They are playing outside- this feels like a great reason most of the time. They are fully engrossed in their games and I want them to enjoy being outdoors and playing creatively. Its often the time of day, after lunch, that their little bodies need to run and play freely. Often times I forget to watch the clock and I pay for it later because without a doubt some one is melting down by 3

2) I've planned poorly- I have left things undone and need to use "rest time" to make up for my missteps. This one is truly difficult for me- I realize I've put other items ahead of what's best for us- and as a result, I end up schlepping my kids around town trying to catch up on life.

3) Friends- I still struggle with this one- I'm immensely extroverted so when my girls get a chance to have a playdate during the beautiful hour of rest, do I think twice? Rarely- I choose friends over rest. Again, a good thing but not always best for our family.

I'm realizing that more and more my choices for how we spend our time can nourish their little bodies or frazzle them. I hope to show them flexibility,and generosity in how we spend our time.

But today, when its the first time we've had rest time all week- I'm just plain thankful for for doors, beds, blankets and candles. Amen.