Bringing Calm into the Chaos of Your HomeSample

Create the Space for Rest and Renewal

The parenting journey isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon, and to thrive in your role as a parent, you need times of rest and renewal. Jesus modeled this. He invited us to come when we’re weary and to find rest in Him. He said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28–30 The Message).

As you read that you might be thinking, I am so tired. Rest seems like a pipe dream. My kids never sleep. I get it. I remember a season when I got very little sleep. What I learned to do was to create some intentional space for rest. I swapped kids with a trusted friend I so that I could rest and renew. 

The truth is, you can’t keep a sense of calm at home without getting adequate rest and having times of renewal. Listen to your body. Have a family meeting to decide what needs to be eliminated for everyone to get more rest. Or hire a babysitter and take a nap. When your kids are in school, set aside a day to spend extra time with Jesus. Take a walk in the park or read your Bible and listen to worship music. Perhaps you can leave the kids with grandparents or good friends, and get a night away to recalibrate. Here’s what I know: Renewal doesn’t happen without rest. Just as Jesus needed sleep (Mark 4:38–40) and time alone with the Father (Luke 5:16), you do as well. 

Pause and Reflect: When was the last time you felt rested, revived, and refreshed? What needs to change for you to feel that way again?

Action Step: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom to listen to your body and to live in unforced rhythms of rest and renewal.  

Pray: Father God, honestly, I feel exhausted and anxious for some “me time.” I pray that you will fill me with wisdom as I balance the kids’ schedules and my own. Holy Spirit, I pray that you will fill my heart with wisdom as I consider what I need in order to feel more relaxed and rested. 

Psalm 62:1 “Truly my soul finds rest in God.”

If you’ve enjoyed these devotions by Becky Harling, check out How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk and other resources at www.BeckyHarling.com and http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse.