Stop And Smell The Roses

Genesis 2:2-3 says that after God created everything, He rested. Did He need to rest? No. I believe He rested to show us the importance of what it means to truly take a break.

I am currently on vacation in beautiful Grapevine, Texas. I was born and raised not too far from here so being back in this area is like finding my roots again and getting food for my soul. I am soaking up every minute of it!

Tonight, I sat on the balcony of our suite. The view is nothing short of spectacular! It overlooks an impeccable atrium. There’s a bridge directly under me. As I sat here, I decided to pray for every person walking across the bridge and as I prayed from afar, I noticed an older man in a suit. It would seem that he is here perhaps on business although he was not preoccupied with anything other than crossing the bridge. He was taking his time, pausing every few steps to look around the atrium. The next person to cross the bridge was a younger man also in a suit and with a much faster pace. I had to pray in a hurry for him! He never looked up from his phone and I thought to myself “what a shame to miss how beautiful this place is.” In that moment, it’s as if God was seated next to me observing it too. I had this sweet truth deposited in my heart: “if you don’t rest, you might miss the glory all around you.”

Webster’s Dictionary defines rest as this: To cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. Wow! I am guilty of ever truly resting. Even when my body is not in movement my mind is running a million miles an hour! I am glued to my phone for various reasons and even after notifications are turned off, I’m still thinking of the “to do” list for the following day.

This vacation is my reset. It’s my chance to unwind. I don’t wanna be like the younger guy on the bridge…so consumed with whatever it may be to not stop and enjoy the beauty of life around me. It’s important to change pace every now and then, slow down and LOOK around!

My idea of resting is definitely this! I’m sitting here watching the water feature and listening to the ripples it creates. Other than typing this post, I’m fully resting. I am at rest and enjoying life. I am in Sabbath-mode 100%!

God may have created everything and then sat on the balcony of Heaven and surveyed the universe and all it’s glorious details. He didn’t need to rest but we do! Like a good Father, He gave us an example to live by.

Let me be clear in that my breaks are few and far in between. This is the first time in three years that I’ve gone anywhere outside of the town I live in. I have dear friends that work relentlessly because they have to and rest is a rarity. If you find yourself in that place, rest might be in the commute to work or taking five extra minutes in the shower. Use that time wisely. Listen to your favorite song, splurge on an overpriced bath bomb… do something that replenishes you and when you get the chance, look at your surroundings. Chances are, you’ll see God’s splendor in the details.

Ladies, we are hardwired to be multitaskers, caretakers and a number of things! We do it well because we love details too. However, we all NEED a break. We all NEED rest. We all NEED to stop and smell the roses. Take some time for yourself today, even if it’s a few minutes! You deserve it!

Hey girls! Remember you are uniquely made on purpose, for a purpose and for such a time as this. Until next week…