Work makes rest work

Canary Islands
Canary Islands

“Work is a blessing. God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures.”-Elizabeth Eliott

This is the week Billy and I sneak-away by ourselves to chill out, regroup, and catch up on some much needed rest.  (We're also celebrating our 15th anniversary - woot!!).  A week away is nothing short of a logistical maze, empowered by good friends (Thank you Sue, Handley, Lindsay!), flexible kids, and a relentless pounding on the schedule to beat it into submission.  The upfront work will, hopefully, let us unplug and power down.

It may be the most productive week of the year.  Rest has a way of bringing out the best later, when we're back in the thick of work.

What I don't usually consider is what it is about work that makes rest so enjoyable.  Some days work feels like a necessary evil, but that's usually because I'm NOT rested.  Work, home, life,  my attitude, and my productivity- all have a way of unraveling when rest is delayed and ignored.

You may not be at the start of a vacation, but you're probably at the start of your day, Sunday.  This is supposed to be a day of rest.  I encourage you to try making it such.

Unplug. Slow down. Take a nap. Say no to the play date.

I'm pretty sure the laundry will be there, and there will be other opportunities to be "busy." But today, try to give "it" and yourself a rest.

Let me know how it goes!