By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Genesis 2:2-3

 

When I consider these verses, I wonder if I allow rest to be a part of my life enough. For as long as I can remember, even going back to my younger years, Sunday was a day of family, church, lunch, inviting people to our home and sometimes a perfect Sunday afternoon nap. Trust me; it has not always been like that. Throughout the years, our kids have been involved in various activities. At times they had an activity that might take over the restfulness of a Sunday and make it stressful or just too busy, but in general, that is what our hope was, to set the day apart. The concept of rest is essential to include in our lives for our health and the blessing of peace it provides. Rest can look different during the year compared to summer; maybe it is safe to say that there are seasons of rest.

When I think about ending my school year and beginning a new routine in the summer, it doesn’t mean what I’m doing at home completely changes. It’s the teaching side that becomes temporarily put aside. No more math lessons, grammar or carpooling, but life does go on, and we have a choice of how we are going to navigate the precious few months we are given in summer. Two words that come to mind or rest and reading.

 I always have tried to encourage my kids to try to read something throughout the summer. It does not always work! Some have a bent toward reading, and others do not. But my husband and I enjoy reading and the rest that comes with it. One of my favourite memories of a few years ago, we would take turns reading a chapter at the cottage on the dock and then talk about it. It happened to be Bob Goff‘s book called Dream Big. It was a very meaningful time, and we enjoyed it. I’m not sure what your routine looks like in the summer when your kids are finished school; maybe they go to a camp, come home from university and begin a new job, or perhaps they are taking a summer course. But I believe the only way our kids will see the benefit of rest and reading is by observing. As moms, we can quickly organize a routine for our family. I’ve been convicted of trying to talk less and model choices more. Trust me, I do not want them to repeat many things that they see me do or say over the years, but they will observe our habits whether we like it or not. I hope my kids will incorporate rest into their week this summer and creatively work it into their days. I think that’s why I love the cottage so much because, as a family, we are unwinding and resting and doing things that we would typically do at home. It’s a mindset shift. We take a break and invite family and friends to join us.

 I’m looking forward to a different kind of summer. I will not be taking a course like last year, and I plan on reading, just not ending in an essay or report! I do enjoy some magazines, such as Canadian Living or Real Simple. I plan on trying some new recipes and getting creative too. My husband and I love to cook together and barbeque. There’s always a reason to celebrate, and I rest in the thought of celebrating other people. I find it a great joy to do that. Here is one book I am finished,

Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis by Patti Callahan. I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts on this one! Callahan is an incredible writer, and the story is captivating!

The end of July is upon us; there is still time to find rest, time for yourself to refuel and feel rejuvenated. How will you incorporate rest and reading into your summer?

 

Got Questions has a great response to rest https://www.gotquestions.org/God-rest-seventh-day.html

 

 

 

Book for your daughter (my youngest loves this one so much!)