Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Became ParentsSample

God Wants Us to Rest

On day seven of Creation, God rested (Genesis 2:1-3).

Children will sometimes say when asked to rest, “But I’m not tired!” Most of us as parents are always tired and glad to rest when we can.

God actually asked us to rest on the last day of each week (the “Sabbath”). He even modeled the value of rest for us when, on day seven of Creation, He Himself rested (Genesis 2:2).

I believe God had the right to rest. For starters, He is God and can do whatever He wants to do.  But look at all He did between days one and six of Creation:

• Day one, God created day and night.
• Day two, He created the sky.
• Day three, He created dry land, vegetation, and plants.
• Day four, He created the sun, moon, and stars.
• Day five, He created the fish and the birds.
• Day six, He created animals, and He created man and woman.

That’s a busy week!

At the end of our busy weeks, you and I are exhausted. God, though, was not tired on day seven of Creation.  He was thinking about our needs. He knew our work would tire us out and that we would need rest. 

God also knew a day of reflection and worship would be good for us. Because of this, He blessed the seventh day and made it holy (Genesis 2:3). When you and I honor the Sabbath, we are better able to prepare our hearts and minds for the next week’s work. 

Of course, it’s not just “work” that makes us tired. Family life, itself, takes a lot of time and energy. We have hectic schedules to keep and deadlines to meet.  We rush to school, to soccer practice, to ballet, to the grocery store, etc. Oh, sure, we know we need to slow it down in life and live one day at a time. But that’s sometimes easier said than done!

Given all our busyness, perhaps it’s time to reconsider ours and our families’ need for rest.  If God can make time for rest, I believe we can, too!

Has this reading plan helped you better prepare for parenting? If so, there’s more where this came from. Check out my book with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman, Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Became Parents, for more helpful and practical insights. For more information on this practical parenting resource, visit www.5lovelanguages.com.