Yesterday was one of those days where there was twice as much work to do as there was time to do it. Household chores get pushed to weekends, especially the outdoor jobs now that darkness falls in the early evening. By four o'clock I was so tired I needed a nap, but the day was glorious, sunny and warm...the last day of daylight savings time when a late afternoon trail walk was still possible. We walked with the dog up a long hill and came to this rest station at the top, the setting sun already casting long shadows on the ground. What a beautiful spot to unwind and relax.Those who celebrate a Sabbath rest each week really do themselves a favour. Our society goes "full steam ahead" seven days a week, and we pay the price if we do not take a time out on a regular basis. Some of us can no longer sit and relax without an agenda and push our physical and mental reserves to the breaking point.
Sit a while with me on one of the resting stones and enjoy the view.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might
He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
And to those who have no might
He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
Hi Ruth - that was beautiful and inspirational. I really like the last verse best. There is a song that our choir sings for an anthem every couple of years - They Shall Soar Like Eagles. (Sorry, don't remember the lyricist or arranger.) That has got to be one of my favorite pieces to sing.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that it's very healthy, both mentally and physically, to take a day of rest.
ReplyDeleteI like that messsage. I'm going to rest as soon as I get some work done!The key is for me to get it done right now so I'll have time to rest!
ReplyDeleteLove those resting stones! As everyone else says, this is great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your confirmation of what we need to do. It seems the older you get, the "behinder" you get and that Sabbath rest gets pushed aside.
ReplyDeletePromise to work harder to put that into action.
Mexican Mom
That's a beautiful rest spot.
ReplyDeleteCan't agree with you more. I'm on salary, which for some means working as many hours as they can! But I am very careful to work no more than 40 a week. I love my job, but if I have to work a Saturday or Sunday, I take another day off during the week to make up for it. My boss once said, "Too much of a good thing is still too much."
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. That passage is a favorite of mine. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving the comment about my "little flower."
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I remember as a child that we were not allowed to do anything much on Sunday. Not running and yelling in the yard, no housework - the only thing we did was take care of the livestock. We often prepared meals for Sunday on Saturday and just warmed them up. We could sit quietly and read or find something else that was quiet to do. We would do well to keep keep the sabbath holy and rest our bodies, minds and spirits.
ReplyDeleteMary C- I love all of Isaiah 40. I have heard a few songs based on the last verse.
ReplyDeleteAC- Is that why I should retire early?
Larry- Are you a procrastinator like me?? (just for things I don't really like to do)
Monarch- This trail is well planned for sure!
Mom- I don't think you know what rest/slow-down means!!! 99% of people your age are retired.
Jean- Thanks. I know it is hard to take a rest in your situation.
Jennifer- Forty hours a week is plenty, especially when you are running a household too. I just finished working 2 weeks with a weekend on call in the middle and I was tired. Thankfully that doesn't happen often.
Beverly- Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Mary from ON- I think many in our generation shared your Sunday experiences. The weekly pause is still a good idea for sure.
What a gorgeous and restful view!
ReplyDeleteRuth, you have so many beautiful pictures, but this one of the rocks, sun and shadow - is so powerful and so inviting - just as you interpreted it. The words of Isiah quicken the pulse with hope.
ReplyDelete