You know, this morning I’m tired. Between sweet baby-lovin,’ and sweet toddler-lovin’ and guidin’ and disciplinin,’ and disrupted sleep, and a battle against the evil Florida allergens, I find myself sitting in this chair, just plain pooped. And my poor daughter is in worse shape than I am. At least she has age working on her side!

I guess it’s a good thing it’s Sunday. The Sabbath. That day we’re supposed to drag our exhausted and weary selves to the foot of the Cross and just be.

Just rest.

Just be still.

I know that today, however, will be the same as yesterday and the day before that and even the day before that. Children don’t go by any sort of calendar. They don’t play by our rules, or anyone else’s, for that matter. Even if children aren’t factoring into your Sunday, chances are that work is, or worry over bills, or a yard that needs scalping, or groceries that need buying, or any number of countless other things big and small. The fact is, we may not be able to just stop, physically, to observe the Sabbath. We should try, but it just may not be a possibility in our world, today. Maybe that’s why it’s the most important to make the Sabbath a mind thing, first and foremost. Maybe we need to unload some of that brain baggage through prayer, and do a little house-cleaning of the gray-matter variety. Maybe the physical wouldn’t seem so overwhelming if the mind was allowed the space to cast its burdens onto Someone who spends His Sabbath waiting for us.

I’m going to take out the trash of my thoughts today, and hang out a little sign that says “Siesta.” I may still be changing a diaper, or reading a story to an energetic grandgirl, but I’m giving my brain the day off to go hang out with a Friend. Thankfully, it’ll come back refreshed, and then maybe tomorrow I won’t be nodding off in this chair. Well, even if I do, it’ll be a good, peaceful sleep!

“Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10 NIV

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God…” Hebrews 4:9 ESV

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary…” Isaiah 40:28 ESV