Rest is time well spent

I read this in one of my devotionals this week. It was kind of a punch in the gut.

Even now, I tend to see resting as time wasted.

“Instead of sitting here, I should be… (fill in the blank).

Why do we (and especially women) think that resting is a waste of time? Why do we think we always have to be busy?

As I’ve been seeing my therapist for a few months now, we have talked a lot about the importance of self-care. I have even taught others about the importance of self-care.

But it’s like I don’t think it applies to me, I “don’t have time to rest” or “don’t have time to be sick”. Rest is for other people, not for me.

Then the reminder about talking to myself like I would a friend pops into my head. Would I tell a friend who was sick or tired that “You don’t have time to rest” or “You don’t have time to be sick”?

No. I would tell them to take care of themselves. It’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to rest.

Go.Rest.Now.

After a couple of very long weeks at work (and another one coming up this week), I am resting today. I may not even get dressed.

Rest is time well spent.