Honestly, I don’t know if rest is an attribute of God, but peace definitely is!
I am writing about this because I am not feeling my best today, mostly because I am doing too much and have lost my peace!
This reminds me of my father. He was a Type A personality. Or, as his friends used to tell me, he burned the candle at both ends!
I am different than my father, but I must have inherited and/or learn that behavior because I tend to do the same thing.
As Americans, especially, we were taught at an early age to go out into the world and conquer it (of course, not literally!). My generation was taught to go to school, go to college, get a well-paying job, get married, and/or have children. Well, sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t.
Feeling particularly nostalgic today as I remember that my father suffered his first heart attack when he was 50. Two to three years later, he needed triple bypass surgery. He lived a full life, retiring and buying two businesses in his 60s. Then dropped dead (at work, of course), in his very early 70s.
Even now, I think about how, even though I have outlived him, things can change so quickly— especially when you get older.
What can I do differently from my father?
(Disclaimer: I have had extensive testing on my heart recently, and everything is as good). Maybe my heart is fine, but what about the overall health and well-being of other high-achievers?
Personally, I like to work, and I always have. I have been rather industrious from a very young age and throughout adulthood. It is how I express myself in life.
But when is it too much? When do I need to take notice that I may need to slow down, take more breaks, and relax more?
In prayer earlier today with my prayer partner, I expressed a need for more peace and rest. Without adequate peace and rest, I will wear myself out. But working is my love. So how do I balance that?
This has been on my mind for the past few weeks, as I know I am taking on a bit too much at times.
Thankfully, my husband and I are careful about what we eat and how we care for our bodies every day. We walk frequently, eat fresher, more natural foods, and don’t drink or smoke … so I feel I am ahead of many others my age.
I have decided to take a bit of time out to go slower, read, meditate, and pray more. Even God rested on the seventh day, so maybe rest is an attribute of God after all!