Dear Ones,
Hope you had a restful night and that you will experience the kind of rest you need. Today I have Women’s Bible study and will do some cooking, studying and packing.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We all know rest is important and yet we are often exhausted and have failed to stop and get the rest we need. Since I am an early bird and up at 4, I have to work at going to bed earlier than others. Recently while reading Just Between Us magazine, I came across an article that Catriona Futter wrote about the 7 kinds of rest that medical Doctor, Saundra Dalton-Smith identifies in her book, Sacred Rest. I had never thought of the various kinds of rest because physical rest pops up in my mind immediately, for we know our bodies need to rest to be restored. But if we’ve been in stressful situations, there are times we can get 7 or 8 hours of sleep and yet still feel tired so we might want to also include things like breathing and stretching exercises, along with rest in other areas.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I will briefly share what other kinds of rest we may need, the next one being mental rest. Perhaps it is even more necessary than it was for our parents years ago. We are mentally overloaded today with demanding work, long lists of things to do, and many hours in front of the computer etc.; we need to take breaks, time for silence briefly and pray short breath prayers.
Thirdly, we need sensory rest and that means turning off the electronics and music and background noise and having a time of silence. We might want to just listen to the birds or go for a walk. I like to look out on our courtyard and the tree right outside my window.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Fourthly, is creative rest and that means getting away from our bland environment or cluttered space and be inspired by something beautiful like music, or art or scented candles. Beauty can inspire our creative juices and awakens our creativity and turn us to our Creator.
Fifthly is spiritual rest as we focus on the Lord who gives us purpose and meaning and belonging. We may just sit quietly in His presence and be still and not read or say anything but just be with Him.
Sixthly we need emotional rest and it is a time we can express our how we really feel, without trying to please others or feeling judged. We give ourselves space to validate our own needs and be vulnerable.
 Seventhly we need social rest from those around us who deplete us and have a negative effect. Instead, we need time to be ourselves and have positive support from those around us who are life-giving and supportive.                                                                                                                May we be wise and plan times of rest that will help restore us when we are weary and heavy laden. (Matt. 1128)
Challenge for today: When you sense your weariness, respond to Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for the kind of rest you need and let Him restore you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

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