by Rachael Devlin
Have you ever worked on something for a while, only to step away from it, then come back to it a little later, and accomplish so much more? This time away is peaceful, life-giving, and nourishes our souls. We usually return to the “work” we were doing with fresh eyes, a new perspective, and maybe new ways to do things. This rest is much needed in our everyday lives, but especially with homeschooling.
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” (Mark 6:31)
In the hustle and bustle of our homeschool days, there have been times we are so busy homeschooling, but also cooking, and cleaning, that us mommas have not even had a chance to eat some days. Jesus invites us to find a quiet place and rest with Him. This invitation is for both us and our children. Just as much as we need a break, so do our kids need this essential time away from “doing school.” We all need time to have fun, spend time with family and friends, and not have our normal routine. We can remember to get off the hamster wheel, stop, and do some things that enrich our soul.
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10
In creating the world, the Lord rested on the 7th day, not because he needed to, but just to model for us. Jesus rested in many instances in the bible. “He went up to the mountainside by himself to pray”(Matt. 14:23). “Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well…” in Samaria with the woman at the well (John 4:6). He was even sleeping on the boat in the midst of a storm. If even Jesus, while on earth, needed to rest after teaching, preaching, and healing, how much more do we need to have some time to just “be”. A heart rest. Where the mind and heart are at peace. It is a beautiful thing. In this rest, there is productivity, surprisingly. The Lord is the one that can be productive in us, in this place. Doing only what He could do, while we rest as He showed us to do.
Rest and trust go hand in hand. When we actually rest we are saying, in so many words, that the world will not crumble if we step away from it for a bit to recharge. We are trusting that the Lord will “cover” and work out whatever needs to happen and needs to be done. And you know what’s funny?! He always does. He “upholds us with His righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) We are trusting Him enough to sit with Him and learn while he perhaps does a work in us. We allow Him into a place of intimacy to share our hearts, worries, and fears. I almost always come away with a bigger picture of who God is, what He can do, and that my circumstances pale in comparison to Him.
There have been times in my everyday life where the Lord catches me off guard and works some things out in the middle of my busyness. However, when my heart is postured to give Him space, to hear His voice, to work in my heart, I am truly recharged. He works things out in ways I couldn’t see. He may shift some things, help me reset priorities, and unfold what His plan is. I want all my work to be for the Lord and for His glory. Including homeschooling. We can do things to check it off a list, or we can do it from the heart. Of course, there is a check box as we have to get it done, but the state of our hearts is what matters to Him, not just what we get done.
Coming off this Christmas break, I realized it is one of my favorite times of the year, especially the time between New Years and the start of school. A time where nothing is on the agenda, no specific place to be, just a peaceful space. I want to stay here. I began to think of how to cultivate this true heart rest once all the things begin like homeschooling, sports, work and such. Making morning time a priority, reading my bible, spending time with Jesus are just a few things to start the day off right and get ahead. Unplugging from the world at certain times everyday and even unplugging one day a week to focus on what truly matters. To be present with the ones who are with us that we love. To plan and have a schedule, not to be ruled by it, but to have a guide and a plan for the day. All of these practices allow us to keep this peace in our lives once all the things begin again. Having had this time of recharge and a plan moving forward, we can jump back into the swing of things and begin the rest of the school year refreshed.
