Early this morning, Kaleb moped into my room with slumped shoulders. He climbed into my bed and said, “I need some mow-uh en-ow-gee (more energy) mommy.” It was clear that my typically overly-energetic 5-year-old was extremely tired and sluggish.
I know Kaleb’s lethargy has a lot to do with his recent bouts of playfulness at bedtime. When he should be sleeping, I’ve been hearing muffled giggles coming from the room he and his older brother, Kedar, share.
“Alright you two,” I call out several times. They go quiet for a moment. But soon they forget about mommy’s listening ear and their loud whispers turn into loud, unrestrained laughter.
“Sometimes your body just needs rest honey,” I explained to my confused and tuckered out son. “Just lie down for a little while longer and you’ll feel better.”
A few moments later, Kaleb laid down on my bed and fell fast asleep. But it didn’t last long. He popped up with wide eyes to announce, “I fell asleep in your bed mommy!”
Who wakes up to announce they fell asleep?
Only Kaleb.
But he didn’t just do that once. He repeated this cycle several times in a row. If he felt himself drop off, he’d spring up like a jack-in-the-box.
That boy…
And each time he abruptly awoke after his body shut down, Kaleb still didn’t feel energized. So he would tell me, again, all about his need for en-ow-gee.
Poor baby doesn’t see the correlation between rest and vibrancy; you can’t have one without the other… at least, not for long. He just doesn’t understand the obvious signals his body is sending—shouting, actually.
Lay yo’ self down, boy! That’s the message for him.
And some of us need that same reminder from time-to-time.
We get so busy, just going, going, going and then can’t figure out why we’re struggling to make it through. There are seasons when the Lord will tell us to be still and rest in Him. If we don’t learn when to stop everything and submit, we’ll pay for it later.
You have to respect your season of rest. If you don’t, when time comes to “get up and at ‘em,” you’ll lack the energy, motivation, strength, and fortitude to give it your all. I’m talking from experience.
Earlier this year, I struggled with this lesson. But I’m thankful I obeyed, because now, my season of rest is over. I’m so glad I had that time to regroup, replenish, and renew! I didn’t fully understand nor appreciate my quiet season, but now I do.
That’s why I’m admonishing you not to forfeit those much-needed periods of quietness and stillness. Your quiet season won’t last forever, but if you buck against it, that decision will come back to bite you later.
So today, I’m adding some “appreciation for your quiet season” into your cup of inspiration. If you’re restless in your spirit; busy toiling instead of trusting; trying to figure out ways instead of consulting the way-maker; or moving forward when God is saying stand still, then, this cup is for you.
When you drink it down, an obedient surrender will replace whatever is urging you to push yourself beyond the limitations God has set for you in this season.
Although you might feel ready to go—we’ve all been deceived by our feelings—be governed by God’s word for your life, not your emotions. God may be sending a message similar to the one in yesterday’s post, telling you to pace yourself. Wait a while. Take it easy. Simmer down. Rest. Trust.
I don’t know who I’m blogging for today, but make sure you get this word. I feel it so strongly.
If you know this is for you, then take heed.
In the right season, God will give you the green light. And if you’ve been obedient through your season of rest, you’ll have all the energy, power, and drive you need to accomplish God’s will for your life.
Lord, sometimes I can get ahead of myself and move when I should be still. Help me to calm myself and still myself in your presence. Only You have the roadmap for my life and know what I should be doing in this season. Please guide and direct me now, and give me a heart of obedience to surrender to whatever You instruct me to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
